Surname Magh Uidhir - Meaning and Origin
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Magh Uidhir: What does the surname Magh Uidhir mean?
Magh Uidhir is a surname found mainly in Ireland and Scotland. The exact origin and meaning of the name is unknown, however, it is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words “magh”, meaning field, and “uí”, meaning descendant. Together, the words form the phrase “field descendant”, likely meaning “descendant of a farmer” and suggesting that the family descended from farmers, likely as far back as the 11th century or earlier.
The surname is also linked with one of the major clans of Ireland, the Maguires. The Maguires were lords of Fermanagh, located in the north of Ireland between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is believed that many of those associated with this surname were part of the ruling class, and that it was commonly used as a surname among those belonging to the Maguire clan.
The surname has also been present in Scotland since at least 1683, when two separate branches of the same family migrated there. Since then, the surname has been comparatively common in Scotland, with many still bearing the Magh Uidhir name today.
In sum, Magh Uidhir is a Gaelic surname meaning “descendant of a farmer” and is associated with two distinct clans in both Ireland and Scotland. It is unknown exactly how long this surname has been in use, but it is believed to be linked to the Maguire clan from Ireland and to have been present in Scotland since the late 17th century.
Order DNA origin analysisMagh Uidhir: Where does the name Magh Uidhir come from?
The surname Magh Uidhir, which is pronounced MacHeer, is believed to have originated in the townlands of Ireland. It is most common in counties Mayo and Donegal, especially in the region known as Magh Uidhir.
Today, Magh Uidhir is still used as a surname by descendants of those from the region. In recent years, it has been found in many places, both in Ireland and abroad. In the Irish diaspora, Magh Uidhir can be found in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia, amongst other countries.
From a genealogical perspective, there are multiple spellings of the name Magh Uidhir. Some common variations of the name include MacHeer, MacHir, MacEir, Magheer, Magheer and Machaire.
One possible origin of the name Magh Uidhir is from the Irish words ”magheer” and ”uidhir”, which mean ”level/plain” and ”below” respectively. It is believed that the term Uidhir refers to the low-lying marshland of the Magh Uidhir region.
The roots of the name Magh Uidhir are deeply embedded in the customs and heritage of the people of the region. To this day, many of those with the surname Magh Uidhir carry with them a sense of pride in their ancestral roots.
Variations of the surname Magh Uidhir
The surname Magh Uidhir is an old clan name of Irish origin and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are mainly found in Ireland and Scotland. Magh Uidhir has two possible spellings or variants: MagHugh or MagUidhir (pronounced “mah hoo-ee-dur”). These two variants are sometimes also referred to as “Magh Uidhir”, but this spelling is the original spelling of the clan name.
The MagHugh spelling is the most commonly encountered variant of Magh Uidhir, and is also the most frequent spelling amongst the Irish population today. The MagUidhir spelling is more rarely encountered, and is mainly found in Scotland.
The surnames associated with the clan name Magh Uidhir include: Magh Uidhir, MagHugh, MagUidhir, Mac Uidhir, McGuidhir, McGuire and McIver. The MagHugh/MagUidhir variant is often shortened to Mac Uidhir, while the MagHugh/-MagUidhir variant can also be shortened to McGuidhir or McGuire.
The clan of Magh Uidhir is thought to have originated from the Ulster province in Ireland, and is associated with the ancient Irish kingdom of Uladh. Various historical documents indicate that the MacUidhir name translates into “son of Hugh/Hinds”. The name "Magh Uidhir" is also associated with the ancient royal clan of the O'Neills. The name "Mac Uidhir" is still used in modern Irish and Scottish Gaelic surnames, with the prefix "Mac" meaning "son of".
In conclusion, the surname Magh Uidhir, along with its variants, spellings and associated surnames, is of Irish and Scottish origin. There are two possible primary spellings, which are MagHugh or MagUidhir, and several related surnames which are associated with the clan name, including Magh Uidhir, Mac Uidhir, McGuidhir, McGuire and McIver.
Famous people with the name Magh Uidhir
- Liam Magh Uidhir: Irish former professional footballer who played for a number of League of Ireland clubs in the 1990s and 2000s.
- John Magh Uidhir: Irish Gaelic football referee who refereed the 2006 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.
- Shirley Magh Uidhir: award-winning Irish author, whose works include the historical novel Wolf on the Hill.
- Manus Magh Uidhir: Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for the Sligo county team.
- Naomi Magh Uidhir: Irish camogie player and dual player who plays senior camogie for the Galway ladies' Gaelic football team.
- Aisling Magh Uidhir: former Irish women's hockey international player.
- Seán Magh Uidhir: Irish musical composer, best known for his work with the Chieftains.
- Antonella Magh Uidhir: Italian actress who has appeared in several television and film productions.
- Orla Magh Uidhir: Irish musician and artist who specializes in film and television production.
- Catherine Magh Uidhir: Australian singer and songwriter best known for her appearance on Australian Idol in 2005.