Surname MagUidhir - Meaning and Origin
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MagUidhir: What does the surname MagUidhir mean?
MagUidhir is an Irish surname that comes from the Gaelic name "Mag Uidhir," which translates to "son of the pale or sallow man". This last name is not commonly found outside of Ireland and most people with the surname still reside there. The surname has Anglicized versions such as Maguire or McGuire. The family that bears this name was historically a powerful family in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. They were notorious rulers and chieftains in their region during medieval times. Today, numerous notable people bear this surname in its various forms, reflecting a broad spectrum of accomplishment in fields such as film, sports, music, and politics.
Order DNA origin analysisMagUidhir: Where does the name MagUidhir come from?
The surname MagUidhir originates from Ireland. It is an anglicized or modified version of the Gaelic name Mag Uidhir, which directly translates to "the descendant of Odhar" or "son of Odhar." The name Odhar, itself, means "pale colored" or "dun."
The MagUidhir family was a powerful clan based in Fermanagh, a county in Northern Ireland, during the Middle Ages. This clan was known for being rulers of the Kingdom of Fermanagh from the 13th to the 17th centuries.
Today, this name is not as commonly spelled as MagUidhir, but rather as "Maguire" due to Anglicisation. This surname remains popular in Ireland, especially in the regions of Fermanagh and the surrounding counties. Outside Ireland, it is fairly common among the Irish diaspora, especially in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname MagUidhir
The surname MagUidhir is of Irish origin and has a host of variant spellings and surnames derived from it.
This comes mainly from the Anglicization process that happened when English became the dominant language in Ireland. The name MagUidhir is said to derive from the Gaelic words "Mag Uidhir," meaning "son of Odhar" or "son of the dun-colored one."
The most common Anglicized version is Maguire, which is still prevalent today in Ireland and dispersed throughout the world due to the Irish diaspora. Other Anglicized forms of the surname include McGuire, McGwire, MacGuire, and McQuire.
Regionally within Ireland, the spelling can also differ, with variants such as Mag Uidhir, Maguidhir, and MacUidhir appearing in historical records.
It's important to note that many of these spellings may have diverged and developed distinct familial lines over time, however they all can be traced back to the original Gaelic surname MagUidhir. In addition, patronymic surnames, such as MacUidhir (son of Uidhir), could be tied to the same lineage as well. Bear in mind that the variation of the spelling of this surname could have been affected by phonetic spelling by English clerks, regional dialects and subsequent generations making modifications.
Famous people with the name MagUidhir
- Since "MagUidhir" is an Irish surname, it's more commonly Anglicized to "Maguire." Some famous people with this last name include:
- Tobey Maguire: An American actor and film producer, best known for his role as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007).
- Bridget MaGuire: An Irish actress and comedian.
- John Maguire: He was a politician from Northern Ireland.
- Dominic Maguire: He has been a prominent figure in Irish rugby union.
- Sean Maguire: He is an English actor and singer, who gained fame with his role as Aidan Brosnan in EastEnders.
- Gerard Maguire: This Australian actor has appeared in many television programmes and films. "MagUidhir" being less commonly used now, it's challenging to find famous people with this exact spelling. Nevertheless, the "Maguire" version is widely recognized and has several notable personalities associated with it. Note that the famous figures listed here vary in their field of expertise from acting and comedy to sports and politics.