Surname MacLiver - Meaning and Origin
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MacLiver: What does the surname MacLiver mean?
The last name MacLiver is a Scottish surname of Old Norse origin. It is derived from the old Gaelic personal name Mac leabair, which translates to ‘son of the lover’. It reflects the cultural name tradition of naming children after ancestors in honour of the family tree.
The second element of the name is the Norse word 'Lǫfari,' which means ‘the one who takes roof over’ or ‘the one covered by a roof.’ In a literal sense, it can be translated to ‘son of the one with a roof over him.' This is likely a reference to a protective father or other ancestor.
The MacLiver clan name was first found in Perthshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The clan was originally associated with the Bissett family who also shared the same origin of the name.
Famous people from the MacLiver clan include Scottish freedom fighter Rob Roy MacLiver and English actor Jack MacLiver. Rob Roy was a folk hero from the 17th century who led a band of warriors in rebellion against the English aristocrats, while Jack MacLiver is credited with being the first black British actor to star in a feature film.
The MacLiver name is still found in Britain and other parts of the world. It is a proud name with a noble history, a reminder of surviving ancestors and a link to a strong and resilient past.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLiver: Where does the name MacLiver come from?
The last name MacLiver is a Highland Scottish clan name. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in Scotland. In the two most recent census’ conducted in 2001 and 2011, the surname MacLiver appeared 2748 and 859 times respectively. Other popular countries for the surname are Canada, Australia, United States of America and New Zealand.
In the United Kingdom, the MacLiver surname is most commonly found in Central Scotland, then in the Greater Glasgow area, the Isle of Arran and the Highlands. Maps of the UK produced by the Royal Mail in 2000 and 2004 showed the surname was most numerously located in Central Scotland, Angus, Aberdeenshire and Inverness.
The MacLiver surname is also well known among Scottish diasporic communities around the world. In Australia, the surname MacLiver was most commonly found in Victoria and Queensland in the 2011 census. The United States Census Bureau recorded 392 individuals with the surname MacLiver in the 2010 census. Canada, specifically the province of Ontario, also had a large population of McGillivrays with the Scottish surname.
The surname MacLiver is a testament to the strong diasporic past of the Scots. It continues to be associated with the courage and perseverance of the Scottish people, their determined spirit soon reaching far and wide to places such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacLiver
MacLiver is an old Scottish surname primarily found in the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye region. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac anLeamhain, meaning the son of the Shallow One. Variants of the surname include MacClemore, MacLever, MacLeur, MacLeavy, and MacClever.
In some instances, the surname has been Anglicized spellings such as McLiver, MacLivar, McLeiver, MacLiverty, MacLeverty, McLevar, and MacLavery.
Other related surnames include MacLeary, MacLeery, Maclearie, MacLorry, and MacLory. These derivations of the same name were possibly influenced by the anglicization of the spelling.
The family name was apparently derived from the occupational surname Leamhan, which was likely a nickname derived from the Gaelic elements leamh, meaning shallow, and the suffix -an.
The name has also evolved and been adapted in other countries and languages. For example, in Germany the spelling is McLevon and the name is found there dating back to the 12th century. It has also been found in Ireland as MacLovar, Lemme, MacLovan, and McElvan. In Wales, the surname has also been found as Machelver and Machelveri.
Finally, MacLiver is a common spelling and surname found in America with some evidence the name was adopted in the late 19th century by immigrants from Scotland.
Famous people with the name MacLiver
- Susie MacLiver: Australian actress and musician
- Rod MacLiver: Award-winning Canadian television producer
- James MacLiver: Canadian actor and writer
- Darren MacLiver: Canadian director and animator
- John MacLiver: Scottish artist
- Faith MacLiver: Scottish singer-songwriter
- Gordon MacLiver: Canadian director and producer
- Morag MacLiver: Scottish actor
- Neil MacLiver: Canadian screenwriter and director
- Colin MacLiver: Scottish actor and writer