Surname Mackguire - Meaning and Origin

Mackguire: What does the surname Mackguire mean?

Mackguire is an Irish surname that has been spelled in many different ways over the years. The name is derived from the Old Gaelic Mac Guaire, which means "son of Guaire" or "son of Goric." The name Guaire is derived from the old Norse term "gör" meaning man of God or man of strength. It is possible that this was the original meaning of the name, as it is believed to have been given by Norse Vikings in Ireland during their period of invasion and occupation.

The surname Mackguire is often found in the Northern and Eastern parts of Ireland, particularly in Counties Donegal, Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Armagh. Although the exact origin of the surname is unclear, it is thought that the family is descended from the Mac Guaire chiefs of Islay, who lost their lands and estates after being defeated in battle in 1601.

Today, there are variations of the spelling of the surname all around the world. Common variations of the name include McKiernan, McGirr, MacGuire, MacGu Dexter, and McGourrey. The presence of the name in different countries is often attributed to the Irish diaspora of the 19th century, when many families immigrated to countries around the world in search of a better life.

No matter where the surname Mackguire is found, it usually still carries with it the pride of the original family name and its proud Irish roots. Those with the surname often strive to live up to the strength and loyalty of their ancestors, and carry on the proud legacy of the surname.

Mackguire: Where does the name Mackguire come from?

The last name Mackguire is most commonly found in the United States today. According to Ancestry.com, the surname Mackguire ranks 7,566th in popularity in the US. Its highest concentration is in Mississippi, where about 8.44 residents per thousand have the surname. Further, it is most prominent in the Southeast region, with Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas reporting the largest number of Mackguires.

Outside of the US, Ireland is the other home of the Mackguire surname, with Dublin the most common place of origin. This could be linked to the fact that, during the 17th century, large numbers of Irish families emigrated to the US. After this period, the number of Irish with the MacGuire surname decreased significantly in the US.

The original meaning of the MacGuire surname is thought to be “son of the hound” in Irish. A hound was a type of dog used for hunting, and the name was also given to people who had done something heroic. It is often found in the Anglicised form McGuire, although the pronunciation does not change.

Whatever their Irish origin, many Mackguires have become prideful of their name, industry, and humble beginnings which placed them in the United States. While not as popular as it once was, the Mackguire name still survives today.

Variations of the surname Mackguire

Mackguire is a variant of MacGuire, a surname originating form the Irish Maguire. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Uidhir, which translates as 'son of Odhar' (variant spellings include Uidhir, Uidhre and others).

The variants and spellings of the surname include MacGuire, Mackguire, McGwire, MacGuire, Macquire, MacQuire, MacGuier, MacQuier, McGuire, McCuire, MacUidhir, Maguire and McGuyre.

The surname can be found in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh, Northern Ireland as well as Breffny, Connacht and Leinster, Eire.

The various surnames that are derived from the same origin are McGuinness, McGing, MacGing, MacGinneg, McGowan, MacGowan, MacGowen, McGowen, McGarvey, MacGarvey and MacGoverne.

MacGuire and its variants are also found in the United States, where it arrived from Ireland with immigrants in the 19th century. The variations of the surname in the US include MacGuire, Macquire, McGwire, MacGwire, Magwire, MacQuire, McGuire, MacGuer, MacGeer, MacQuer and MacGuier.

The spelling variant MacQuarrie is particularly unique, as it was the Americanization of the Scottish version of the surname.

Today, MacGuire is an uncommon, but widespread surname. It can be found in many countries, including in Australia, Canada, and in Europe as well as in the United States.

Famous people with the name Mackguire

• Shailene Woodley (American actress)
• Mackenzie MacGuire (American reality TV star, The Bachelor)
• Catherine Macguire (American actress)
• Harry MacGuire (American singer)
• Taylor MacGuire (American actor, made appearances on Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and Law and Order)
• Kathryn MacGuire (American actress)
• Jennifer MacGuire (American actor and model)
• Jordan Macguire (American singer and songwriter)
• Laura Macguire (American singer and YouTuber)
• Ian Macguire (American actor and creative director)
• Jean Macguire (American director and producer)
• John Macguire (American singer and YouTuber)
• Matthew Macguire (American drummer)
• Emma Macguire (Australian actress and model)
• Annette Macguire (American voice actress)
• Pat Macguire (American female bodybuilder)
• Kevin Macguire (American stand-up comedian)
• Michael Macguire (British politician and Member of Parliament)
• David Macguire (English actor)
• Sean Macguire (American voice actor)

Other surnames

MackguineMackguireMackin