Surname MacLure - Meaning and Origin
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MacLure: What does the surname MacLure mean?
The surname MacLure is of Scottish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name MacIomhair, meaning "son of Ivor". The name Ivor is of Old Norse origin and is associated with the meaning "bow warrior" or "archer".
Therefore, MacLure can be interpreted as "son of the bow warrior" or "descendant of the archer". This likely refers to a family heritage of strong warriors or skilled archers. As family names often reflect an occupation or personal characteristic of its initial bearers, MacLure might be indicative of a tradition of archery or physical combat within the family history.
It's also possible that the name MacLure takes from locations in Scotland including the Island of Islay and the Hebrides where the surname was first found.
Like many surnames that originate from ancient clans, the MacLure family has a crest and a coat of arms, reflecting their long and proud history. However, remember that surname origins can be complex, with names changing or evolving over centuries, influenced by migration, regional dialects, occupational specializations, and more.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLure: Where does the name MacLure come from?
The last name MacLure primarily originates from Scotland. It is a form of the Scottish surname McLaren, which means "son of Lure". The McLaren clan traces its history back to the ancient kingdom of Dalriada in Western Scotland. The surname was first found in Argyllshire, where they were seated from early times and their early records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Scotland.
The name MacLure is also found in Ireland due to the Scottish influence on Irish culture and history, and consequently, some MacLures can trace their origins back to Irish roots.
Presently, the surname MacLure is most prevalent in the United States, followed closely by Canada, according to data from the Forebears surname database. In terms of relative density, however, it's most common in New Zealand, followed by Scotland and Canada. Hence, the largest number of people with the MacLure surname live in the United States, but the surname is more commonly found, in proportion to the total population, in New Zealand, Scotland, and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacLure
The surname MacLure is of Scottish origin derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Gille-Uidhir", which is a patronymic form of a personal name meaning "pale." It may be spelled several ways since English spellings of Gaelic names have fluctuated over the centuries.
Variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for MacLure include McClure, McLure, McLuer, MacClure, MacLeod, MacClewer, McLeur, McCluer, and Lure. Also, McCluire, Maclouer, Macluer, and MacCluer can be related to it.
One theory suggests that the The MacLeods family of Harris may be the progenitors of the McLures, as the Gaelic ‘Mac Leoid’ (pronounced ‘MacLoyt’) could easily have been anglicised to MacLure.
All these variants became established in several counties mainly in Scotland such as Dunbarton, Perth, Fife, and others. Some families also migrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulica, especially in Antrim.
MacLure, along with its variants, like many surnames, continues to evolve over time, and new variants are found occasionally. Notably, the use and significance of the Mac or Mc prefix (meaning "son of" in Gaelic) can also vary, leading to additional variations in spelling.
Famous people with the name MacLure
- Robert MacLure: American doctor and politician in the late 19th century.
- Aeneas MacLure: mid-20th century Canadian botanist.
- John MacLure: 20th century English aeronautical engineer who worked for Bristol Aircraft and Bagley Airways.
- Brian MacLure: late 20th century and early 21st century guitarist and bass player on album such as Dream Theater's The Astonishing.
- Leslie MacLure: Australian lawyer from the mid-1930s.
- Hugh A. MacLure: 20th century Canadian newspaper publisher who served as MPP for Simcoe South in the 1920s.
- William MacLure: 19th century Scottish-born American geologist and educator who co-founded the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.
- Catherine MacLure: 20th century Canadian pathologist and professor at McMaster University.
- Allan MacLure: Australian doctor who was an active member of the Australian Labor Party.
- Elizabeth MacLure: Australian author and poet.