Surname MacGuarie - Meaning and Origin

MacGuarie: What does the surname MacGuarie mean?

The last name MacGuarie originated from the Gaelic personal name MacGorrie, which is derived from the Gaelic term mac ghoraidh, meaning "son of Gorrie." This name is believed to have been descended from the ancient Celtic clan of the Picts who inhabited Scotland during the Middle Ages. The MacGuarie surname is most common among families of Scottish descent, and there are numerous variants of the name throughout Scotland and other parts of the world.

The name MacGuarie is believed to be derived from the ancestral title of Gorrie MacGregor, known as the Chief of Clan Macgullroshe (MacGullroshe), which was a prominent Scottish clan during the Middle Ages. Gorrie MacGregor was an important historical figure due to his role in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, where the English army defeated the last of the Scottish Jacobite forces.

In modern times, the name MacGuarie is generally still associated with Scotland, but the name has also made its way to other parts of the world due to Scottish emigration. The name MacGuarie is a reminder of the proud Scottish heritage and legacy of the MacGregor clan.

MacGuarie: Where does the name MacGuarie come from?

The surname MacGuarie is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. The meaning of the name MacGuarie is uncertain, but there is some speculation that it could be derived from a densely-wooded area, or it could be a Gaelic form of the name MacGuire which could mean "son of the hound of the plain". It is a part of the Clan Macrae.

Although the surname is more common in Scotland and Ireland, it is also found in other countries around the world where people with Scottish and Irish ancestry have settled. In the United States, MacGuarie can be found across the country, with the most highly concentrated numbers in Pennsylvania, New York, and Arizona. In Canada, the highest concentration of MacGuarie is in Ontario, followed closely by British Columbia and then Quebec.

In Australia, the surname MacGuarie is thought to be derived from the Lake Macquarie region in the central part of the country. There are thought to be over 200 people in Australia with this surname, with most of them being concentrated in the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Hobart.

Whether it originated in Scotland, Ireland, or Australia, the surname MacGuarie can be found in many places throughout the world today, especially in United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname MacGuarie

MacGuarie is a surname with Gaelic origins. The variants, spellings, and surnames from the same origin include MacGuerrie, MacGuerrey, MacGuerry, MacGuire, Mackerrie, MacKerrey, and MacKerry.

The surname is believed to have an Irish Gaelic origin, likely derived from the Irish Ó hUiginn or Mac Uigin, which in turn derive from the root ‘uigi’ or ‘descendant of a wise person or one having a good reputation’.

The surnames of MacGuarie, MacGuerrie, MacGuerrey, MacGuerry, MacGuire, Mackerrie, MacKerrey, and MacKerry, are patronymic in nature, meaning they derive from the given name of the father of the original person who adopted it.

Other spellings include Mackerrie, MacGuerrey, Mackery, MacGurey, MacKery, Mack kerry, and MacKurey. All of these spellings are believed to have derived from the same Gaelic root.

The variance in spellings is due in part to a lack of a standardized spelling when the surname was originally adopted, as well as spelling variations that occurred when the surname was transcribed over time.

In addition, the surname has derivatives in both English and Irish, with some of the most common surnames derived from MacGuarie being Garrie, Garrity, Gourley, Magary, Magee, McGorrey, McGoury, and MacGorry. These derivatives often took the form of variations on the original Gaelic ‘uigi’ root.

Overall, the surname MacGuarie is believed to have originated from a Gaelic root, with many spellings and surnames derived from it over time.

Famous people with the name MacGuarie

• Lachlan Macquarie: The 5th and last Governor of New South Wales, Australia. He was a soldier, public servant and explorer, known for his extensive efforts to develop the country.
• Malcolm Macquarie: Son of Lachlan Macquarie and a notable diarist and author.
• John Macquarie: A distant relative of Lachlan Macquarie, John was a chemist and pharmaceutical manufacturer known for his production of medicines for areas of Scotland.
• William Macquarie: A Scottish entrepreneur who was a founding member of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.
• Duncan Macquarie: A Scottish clergyman who was the first minister of a Free Church in Australia, and later became the Lynnville tutor at the University of Sydney.
• Alexander Macquarie: A malt distiller, theatrical and film actor, and author, he wrote several novels and plays from the late 1800s.
• Maud Macquarie: Australian socialite and wife of Lachlan Macquarie.
• Dame Mary Macquarie: Australian academic and social leader, and a recipient of a Damehood in Australia.
• Hugh Macquarie: A New Zealand film director and scriptwriter popularly known for his documentary films.
• Eric Macquarie: A Scottish-born farmer who had a long and successful career as a civil servant in Queensland, Australia.

Other surnames

MacGuaran