Surname MacVerry - Meaning and Origin
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MacVerry: What does the surname MacVerry mean?
The last name MacVerry is an Irish surname, derived from the old Gaelic surname “Mac Mhuirich”, meaning “son of Muirich”. Muirich was a personal name which was derived from the old Celtic name “mor”, meaning “big” or “great”. The MacVerrys were originally a clan prominent in the region of Derry in the north of Ireland.
The MacVerrys were generally of the gentry class and members of their family held prominent positions in the region of Derry. Examples of this include the MacVerrys owning much of the lower lands of Tyrconal during the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as being sheriffs of the town of Derry for several generations.
The MacVerrys were known to be both progressive and resourceful. Examples of this can be found in the construction of a silk mill in the Derry area by the family in the 18th century, the establishment of a turf enterprise which was used for fuel in Derry in the 19th century, and the sale of the preliminary business plans for the first metallic railroads in Ireland to the British government in the late 19th century.
Today, the family name is still in existence, although not as prominent as it once was. The MacVerrys have a proud history and are respected in the region of Derry for their contributions to the area.
Order DNA origin analysisMacVerry: Where does the name MacVerry come from?
Today, the surname MacVerry can be found predominantly in areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland, though it can also be encountered in other places all around the world.
The etymological origin of the name MacVerry comes from the Gaelic words 'Mac' meaning 'son of' or 'descendant of' and 'Fhairth', meaning 'vengeance'. The surname was derived from a Gaelic personal name, Fhartaich, which translates to mean 'vengeful one'.
Most of the people who carry the MacVerry name today still live within Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the name first emerged. The majority of MacVerrys in Scotland live in the southeastern regions along the borders, including Dumfriesshire and Peeblesshire. In Northern Ireland, the largest concentration of MacVerrys is located in County Antrim.
The MacVerry family is still rather widespread throughout the world today, though the number of people carrying this surname has dwindled over the centuries. It can now be found in many countries all around the world, with the majority of MacVerrys hailing from Scotland and Northern Ireland. People with this surname often claim to be related to the noble MacVerry clan, whose leader hails from the Scottish lineage of Armor.
Variations of the surname MacVerry
MacVerry is an Irish language surname derived from MacMhuirich or MacMuireach. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacVerry include MacMuireach, MacMhuirich, MacGwier, MacGeever, MacViere, MacGwire, MacGeever, MacVoir, MacVere, McAuweries, MacVauga, MacVay, MacVee, MacVerrie, MacVairs, MacVerrie, and MacVerie. Some variations include the anglicized forms MacGwire and MacGeever.
The name MacMhuirich is derived from the personal name Muireadhach, the Gaelic form of Maurice, itself an anglicized version of the Latin Mauricius, which is derived from the Roman Maurus (αΓέλας, mavro). The surname is found in Irish as MacMhuirich, MacMuireach, and MacVerry. It is also found in Scotland as MacGwire and MacGwier and in England as MacGeever.
In modern times, the surname MacVerry can also be found spelled as MacVerrie, MacVerrie, MacVoir, MacVeire, MacViere, MacVauga, MacVay, MacVee, MacVairs and MacVerie. The name can also be found in various other spelling variations such as MacMuireach, MacMhuirich, MacGeever, MacGwire, MacVerry, MacGeever, MacVoir and MacVere.
Famous people with the name MacVerry
- Mike MacVerry: an NHL hockey player who played defence for the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Steve MacVerry: an NHL hockey player who played forward for the St. Louis Blues
- Corinne MacVerry: a Canadian stand-up comedian and actress
- Russ MacVerry: a Canadian television producer and director
- Bryce MacVerry: a Canadian-born actor and television presenter
- Lisa MacVerry: a Canadian actress
- Chris MacVerry: a Canadian film and television director
- Matt MacVerry: an Australian actor
- Victoria MacVerry: an American author and entrepreneur
- John MacVerry: a British-born historian and professor emeritus