Surname McGarra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McGarra: What does the surname McGarra mean?
The surname McGarra is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name Mag Fhearadhaigh. The prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac' translates to 'son of', while the second part 'Fearadhaigh' originates from 'fear', meaning 'man', and 'adhach', meaning 'of the ford'. Therefore, the name essentially carries the idea of being 'the son of the man of the ford.'
Like many Irish surnames, its specific meaning is related to geography and location, denoting familial ties to specific areas. As with other family names that incorporate geographical features such as 'ford', its bearers may have originally lived near a river crossing, or their ancestors could have been responsible for the upkeep and safety of such crossings. The name also might signify a family's reputation for courage or warrior-like qualities.
It should be noted that due to phonetic translations, variations in spelling exist. Nowadays, it's less common and predominantly found in areas where people of Irish descent have historically settled. Interpretations of the name's meaning can vary.
However, the exact meaning can be difficult to pinpoint without further genealogical research as many Irish surnames have evolved over centuries, often losing or gaining connotations based on the family's history.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGarra: Where does the name McGarra come from?
The name McGarra is considered to be a primarily Irish surname. It is often found in Ireland, Scotland, and other nations that have strong Irish roots, including the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The surname is thought to be derived from two distinct Gaelic surnames: MacGearailt and MacGartnaill. MacGearailt, whose literal translation to English is ‘son of the brave one’, is a surname primarily found in Galway and Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. The other name, MacGartnaill, which translates to ‘son of the Gartnaill’, is native to more southerly parts of Ireland and is primarily found in counties Wicklow and Wexford.
The most prevalent skills associated with the McGarra name today are those of traditional Irish agriculture, such as farming and sheep husbandry. The McGarras are also traditionally known for their great generosity, having a long history of charitable acts in their local communities.
In recent years, the name McGarra has become less common in Ireland as more and more families have moved away from their ancestral homelands. Despite this, the McGarra name remains strong in many other countries, particularly in opposition to the large-scale emigration of ethnic Irish to the United States and Canada.
Additionally, the McGarra name is still quite commonly found in Ireland, particularly in areas steeped in Irish history, like Dublin, Clare, and Wexford. The name is also often found amongst the Irish diaspora, which have helped to keep the name ‘McGarra’ alive and well around the world.
Variations of the surname McGarra
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McGarra include MacGarra, MacGara, MacGarry, MacGarrye, MacGarrie, McGarrie, MacGarry, and MacGary.
MacGarra is the most common variation of the surname. This is an old Irish surname which refers to a son of Garra, a personal name from the Gaelic MacGearra meaning “son of the rough/hairy man.”
MacGara is a variant spelling of MacGarra. It is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Gearr, which means short.
MacGarry is a variant spelling of MacGarra and is an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic personal name Gearr, which means short.
MacGarrye is a variant spelling of the surname MacGarra. It is an old Irish surname which refers to a son of Gearrach, an ancient Celtic personal name, which was derived from gearr, meaning short.
MacGarrie is another variant of the surname MacGarra. It is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Gearr, which means short.
McGarrie is a variant of the surname MacGarra. It is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Gearr, which means short.
MacGarry is a variant of the surname MacGarra, and an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic personal name Gearr, meaning short.
MacGary is another variant of the surname MacGarra. It is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Gearr, which means short.
Famous people with the name McGarra
- Sean McGarrahan: Former Nevada State Senate Majority Leader and political consultant
- Jack McGarrahan: Former Professional Baseball Player
- Siobhan McGarrahan: Actress
- Cian McGarrahan: Irish Stand-up Comedian
- Anastasia McGarrahan: Public Figure, Social Media Influencer
- Eimhin McGarrahan: Actor and Producer
- Andrew McGarrahan: Cinematographer
- Toby McGarrahan: Soccer Player
- Zoe McGarrahan: Author
- Robert McGarrahan: MMA Fighter