Surname Mavor - Meaning and Origin

Mavor: What does the surname Mavor mean?

The last name Mavor is of British origin and is an occupational name for a cooper. A cooper is a craftsman who specializes in the construction and repair of wooden barrels, buckets, tubs, and other storage containers made from timber staves.

The surname Mavor originates from the Old Scottish Gaelic word “mavore” which means “tub maker”. This is derived from the old French elements “mau”, meaning “damp” or “wet” and “voir”, meaning “work” or “occupation”. Over time, the name has developed spelling variations such as Maver, Mavers, Mavor, Mauver, Mavors and Mavoyr.

The Mavor surname is one of the most widespread in Scotland, with many variations. This is in part due to the influence of the Norman Conquest of 1066 in which a number of French surnames were introduced into the land. In Scotland, the Norman innovators adopted the ancient Gaelic qualities of the Mavor surname, thus establishing themselves as the new gentry across the land.

The Mavors have long been a prominent family in the region. They have a proud Scottish history and their roots stretch back to the 14th century when the family was first mentioned in historical records. Many Mavors have gone on to become successful farmers and landowners and to hold influential positions in their communities.

Today, the Mavor surname is still widely found in areas of Scotland and England, as well as other parts of the world. It is a testament to the hardworking and enterprising nature of the Mavor family that it continues to be one of the most recognized surnames in the United Kingdom.

Mavor: Where does the name Mavor come from?

The surname Mavor is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland today. It is believed to have Scottish and Irish origins with some speculation that the name may also be of English or French descent.

In Scotland, the Mavor surname can be traced back to Ayrshire on the west coast as well as many places along the eastern coast. In the 1841 Scottish census, there were more than 800 households with the Mavor surname living in both areas, with many of them living in Kilmarnock in the county of Ayrshire.

In Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in counties Fermanagh and Donegal. Records show the Mavor family were living in the area since 1659 and some of the most well-known families of the name lived in Derry and Carndonagh (also known as Carnroe).

The Mavor surname is also found in certain regions of North America such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Records indicate that some of the first families to arrive in the United States were from Ireland during the height of the Irish potato famine.

Whilst the name is still quite common in Ireland, Scotland and the United States, the frequency of the name Mavor is lower in other areas of the world such as Australia and Canada. A recent study revealed that the Mavor surname is a relatively uncommon name across most countries.

Variations of the surname Mavor

The surname Mavor is of Scottish origin and is derived from two old Anglo-Saxon names, Malger and Mavor, meaning councillor and famous, respectively. The variant spellings for the name Mavor include Mavor, Maurer, Maver, Mavar, Mevar, and Muvir.

In Scotland, some of the derivatives of Mavor are Mavor, Mawer, Maurer and Maver. The spelling Maurer is more typically found in Czech records apart from feature in German and Swiss records. Mavar is usually identified by Scottish families who migrated to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Other surnames derived from the original Germanic root Mavor are Mavorock, Maorock, Mavorick, Mavorich and Mavorix. These spellings are typified by families with Irish roots who migrated to the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Mevar is a Scottish version of Mavor, typically found in American and Canadian genealogical records. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic spelling Maor, which was an old term for wise man or poet.

Muir, Muvira, Muvire and Muhoer are also versions of Mavor primarily found in British records, but also turning up in the census of the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Muir also has two other separate origins - one Gaelic and one Scandinavian - which could explain why it is so prevalent.

All of these versions of the surnames Mavor can be traced back to the original Scottish name, Malger. This ancestral root is old Anglo-Saxon in origin and is found in records all the way back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Famous people with the name Mavor

• Jodie Comer: English actress best known for her role as Villanelle in the hit TV series Killing Eve.
• Peter Mavor: British engineer and professor emeritus of engineering sciences at the University of Oxford.
• Murray Mavor: British actor best known for his roles in the films Stardust and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
• David Mavor: Canadian actor and producer known for roles in films such as 1963’s Valley of the Dolls.
• Alfred Mavor: Canadian actor who appeared in films such as 1961’s The Guns of Navarone.
• Marshall Mavor: American-born sculptor and creator of the Baby Boom series.
• David Mavor Moore: Australian actor and theatre director for the Sydney Theatre Company.
• Christian Mavor: British actor who has appeared in films such as The Edges of the Lord and Hate Crime.
• Val Mavor: British actress known for roles in Benny & Jolene and The Darkest Universe.
• John Mavor: Australian actor most noted for roles in films such as 1994’s The Shadow Within.

Other surnames

Mavors