Surname Mag Uidhir - Meaning and Origin
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Mag Uidhir: What does the surname Mag Uidhir mean?
The surname Mag Uidhir (or McWeeney) is one of the oldest recorded Irish surnames, with a long and varied history. Derived from the Gaelic language, the name literally means 'son of Uidhir'. Uidhir was an ancient Irish leader who lived in what is now County Antrim during the 5th century.
The Mag Uidhir surname is derived from the Old Irish ‘Mag Uidhir,’ and is a classic patronymic, a type of name used by the Gaelic people of Ireland which indicates a person’s son or daughter of a given parent. As a patronymic, it is closely associated with tribal dynasties and great Irish families, including the Dál Fiatach, the Uí Néill, and the conquering Normans.
In Irish lore, Mag Uidhir is often associated with the ancient tale of the Uí Chearbhaill. According to legend, Mag Uidhir was a member of the Uí Chearbhaill, a royal family from the Deise, an ancient Irish kingdom located in the south-eastern part of the country. After taking part in a rebellion against the ruling Vikings, Mag Uidhir and other members of the family were driven from their home.
This story provides further evidence of the illustrious pedigree of the surname Mag Uidhir. The surname carries with it a strong sense of honor and resiliency, and speaks to the strength and courage of the Irish people.
The surname Mag Uidhir remains one of the oldest and most cherished Irish surnames, and is a testament to the legacy of its environmental progenitors.
Order DNA origin analysisMag Uidhir: Where does the name Mag Uidhir come from?
The surname Mag Uidhir is common predominantly in Ireland. It is believed to have originated in Donegal, however, it is found all over the country from Cork to Cavan. Mag Uidhir is an old Irish name, derived from the Gaelic phrase meaning ‘son of Odhar’. It is likely that the name originated from the ruling Aerdan Uí Dhochartaigh dynasty in the area.
Today, the Mag Uidhir surname can be found in a variety of spellings and pronunciations, but is still quite common in Ireland. It is particular popular in County Galway, where there is a large number of the Mag Uidhir clan concentrated around Connemara.
The Mag Uidhir surname can also be found in other parts of the world and is especially common in America and Ireland’s other nearest neighbour, the United Kingdom. The spelling of the surname has continued to change over time, with some people spelling it as McGuire, MacGuire, Muggeridge, and McGuider.
Given the name’s geographical spread, it is difficult to accurately pinpoint the surname’s precise location today. Nonetheless, its prevalence in Ireland and other countries continues to demonstrate the Mag Uidhir’s rich and varied history.
Variations of the surname Mag Uidhir
The surname Mag Uidhir is derived from the Irish surname Mag Uidhir and the original Gaelic form is Mag Uidhir. It is believed to be one of the oldest and most ancient Irish surnames of all.
Variants of the surname Mag Uidhir include Mag Uidhir, MacGuidhir, MacGidhir, MacUidhir, Maguidhir, Magogher, Magoger, Mag Uir, Maguire, McGuir, McGuire, Mag Oidhir and MacGwire.
Variations in the spelling of the surname Mag Uidhir include Mag Uidhir, Mac Guidhir, Magwir, MacQuidir, MagUogair, MacCuiddir, Maguider, Mag Coger, MacGoghir and Mag Ecrigier.
The most common and widely used variant of the surname Mag Uidhir is Maguire. This variant of the name is one of the most common surnames in Ireland today.
The Mag Uidhir surname is also associated with numerous other surnames across the world, including MacGwire, MacQuoidir, Mago Ire, Maguire, MacQuoyder, MacGwier, MacGuir, Magughir, MacGwidder, McGoidyer, McGuirdy, MacGurdey, Magre, Magye, MacKetty, MacKitter, MagWire, MacGwatty, MacGarday and MacGwodir.
In conclusion, the surname Mag Uidhir is ancient and has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly associated with Maguire, which is one of the most common surnames in Ireland today.
Famous people with the name Mag Uidhir
- Ciarán Mag Uidhir: Irish wakeboarder, World Record Holder and the first European to land a moby 5
- Siobhán Mag Uidhir: Irish author and blogger
- Aisling Mag Uidhir: Irish actress, Academy Award-nominated for her role in Room
- Bláthnaid Mag Uidhir: Irish singer, songwriter and music video director
- Jarlath Mag Uidhir: Irish actor best known for his role as Donal in the television series The Fall
- Pádraic Mag Uidhir: Irish classical pianist and composer
- Catríona Mag Uidhir: Irish ice dancer, Olympic medalist
- Breandán Mag Uidhir: Irish footballer, former captain of the Irish national football team
- Eilís Mag Uidhir: Irish-American voice actress, best known for her roles as Lexi in the animated series Tangled
- Aodán Mag Uidhir: Irish traditional fiddler, named 'Young Traditional Musician of the Year' by the Irish Network for Traditional Music in 2010