Surname Mahar - Meaning and Origin
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Mahar: What does the surname Mahar mean?
The surname Mahar has multiple origins and meanings attached to it.
In some contexts, it's an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "O Meachair," meaning "hospitable" or "kindly." This name belongs to a family from County Tipperary in Ireland.
In India, the surname was traditionally associated with the Mahar caste, who were considered untouchables in the Indian Caste System. They are located primarily in Maharashtra.
In Arabic, the name Mahar means "skilled" or "specialist."
Like many last names, the exact meaning can vary based upon regional and cultural context. It's also important to recognize that meanings can change or morph over time, which further complicates any precise tracking of a surname's origins. It's always best to look at the specific genealogy or family history for the most accurate information on any particular surname's meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMahar: Where does the name Mahar come from?
The last name Mahar is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name "O Meachair" which means "descendant of Meachar". Meachar is a personal name derived from the word "mearchair", meaning "hospitable" or "kindly".
Mahar was typically an Anglicized form used by families from the County Tipperary area in Ireland. Prior to English rule, members of the Mahar family held a familial seat in Ikerrin, one of the baronies in the North Riding of County Tipperary.
Today, the Mahar surname is spread around the world but remains particularly prevalent in Ireland and in countries that saw significant Irish emigration. This includes the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ancestors of the Mahar family have not only dispersed across the English-speaking world, but worldwide they have sought success and established important roles within the communities they have lived. This heritage can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Ireland.
Variations of the surname Mahar
The surname Mahar is believed to originate from Ireland, Scotland or India. In the case of Irish and Scottish origin, it may be derived from the Gaelic “O’Meachair” which means "kindly", or “hospitable." The nickname for the surname is "gentle." It might have also originated from an Indian 'Mahar' tribe which falls under scheduled caste.
This surname has various different spellings and variants based on the geographical location and translation from Gaelic. These include Maher, Meagher, O’Mahar, O’Meagher O’Maher, and Mahir. Its Anglicized form is thought to be ‘Marr’ or ‘Mar.’ The surname may also appear as ‘McMarr.’
In the process of anglicization, name spelling has often changed to fit more comfortable with English phonetics, hence the same surname can have multiple spellings. To this day, these names may be found in many forms based on local cultural influences and individual family traditions. The diversity of surnames in various regions shows the rich multicultural history and it's a testament to historical migration patterns.
Famous people with the name Mahar
- Rajmohan Gandhi: A prominent Indian political activist and author who is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Abhay Vijayakar: A renowned American economist and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
- Anant Agarwal: An Indian-American professor at MIT and former CEO of edX, an online learning platform.
- Arun Rajagopalan: An Indian film director, producer, and writer.
- Crystal Mahar: A Canadian singer and songwriter.
- Dhilip Subbarayan: An Indian film actor who has appeared in Tamil films.
- Ekalavya Mahar: A prominent Indian director and editor of various television shows.
- Kailash Puri: An Indian film actor known for his work in Punjabi cinema.
- Pratima Puri: An Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada movies.
- Pushpendra Mahar: An Indian actor best known for his roles in television serials.