Surname Mac Ivir - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mac Ivir: What does the surname Mac Ivir mean?
The last name Mac Ivir is of Scottish origin and is a patronymic surname. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Iomhair, or the son of Iomhair, which was derived from a former Gaelic personal name meaning “lord” or “master”.
Mac Ivir was also anglicized as MacWhir, MacVurr, MacWhirr, or MacVur. It is associated with the Clan MacVurr, the family of Iomhair, who had a stronghold in the south-west of Scotland in the early 1200s. They were mainly found in the Scottish territories of Galloway, Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire.
The Mac Ivir name is usually associated with the Scottish Highlanders, as many of the clan chiefs and lairds were accredited with honors due to their loyal and brave service to the kingdom throughout the centuries. This is evidenced through the long history of military service by the Mac Ivir clansmen whose surnames appear in the rolls of several military engagements.
The Mac Ivir name is still prominent today and is found spread across Scotland and much of the world. Its bearers include many notable figures, including a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, James Mac Ivir.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Ivir: Where does the name Mac Ivir come from?
The last name Mac Ivir is most common today in Scotland, particularly the regions of Argyll and Bute, Highland, and Motherwell and Wishaw. It is a surname of Scottish origin, and it is derived from the Irish Mac Iomhair, "son of Iomhar". The name is one of the oldest the Scottish Isles, and it is thought to have originated in the 12th century. The name is also found in Ireland, especially in the Munster Province, and in North America, mainly in the United States and Canada. It has also been used in Australia and New Zealand since the 19th century.
The prevalence of the Mac Ivir surname reflects the long history of Irish-Scottish migration between the two countries. This period of movement was made possible by the clan system, and it allowed many Irish families to travel to Scotland to find work and determined their surname shared with their homeland.
The Mac Ivir surname is used today by many proud Scottish families. In recent decades, the Mac Ivir name has seen an increase in interest among those who may wish to connect with their Irish-Scottish ancestors and trace their family tree. It is also still used in popular culture, often in reference to Dave MacIvrae, a fictional lead character from the television show Highlander.
The Mac Ivir name has stood the test of time and is now considered a widely used last name in Scotland and other parts of the world. It is testament to the strength of family networks that it has endured and been passed down to present generations.
Variations of the surname Mac Ivir
The surname Mac Ivir is thought to have evolved from the Irish name Mac Iomhair. It is believed that the Mac Ivir name originated in the 13th century in County Galway, Ireland, with the earliest known record of it dating back to this time period.
Variants of Mac Ivir include MacIver, MacAiver, MacAvery, MacAskill, MacAvory, and MacKivor. Spellings for the surname Mac Ivir include McIver, MacIvor, MacUver, Macouver and McAiver.
Surnames with the same origin and history as Mac Ivir include MacGivney, MacBevor, MacBeery, Cever, McBavery and Bivera. Mac Ivir is also thought to be linked to the surnames Irwin, Eves, Erwin and Irwin.
The spelling variations of Mac Ivir allude to the varied backgrounds of the family, which is commonly associated with Ulster and white Irish culture. It is believed that the Mac Ivir name has emerged from a number of different cultures over the centuries, including Viking and Norman heritage that was brought to Ireland during the Middle Ages.
As the surname Mac Ivir is so old, it is no surprise that the descendants of the people who originally bore the name can now be found in many Australian, English, Scottish, Irish, and American locations.
Famous people with the name Mac Ivir
- Patrick MacIvor: Canadian character and voice actor.
- John MacIvor: Canadian politician.
- Bill MacIvor: former English football defender.
- Grace MacIvor: British actor and voice actress.
- John MacIvor: Scottish rugby player
- Donald MacIvor: Canadian professor and musician.
- Angus MacIvor: Canadian painter and printmaker.
- William MacIvor: Canadian politician.
- Alexander MacIvor: British physician and scientist.
- N. MacIvor: Indian politician.