Surname McGear - Meaning and Origin
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McGear: What does the surname McGear mean?
The origin of the last name McGear is not definitively known, but it is believed to have been derived from the Old Irish word "mac" (meaning ‘son of’) and ‘gearr’, an unknown name or word. It is thought to have originated in areas of northern Ireland and Scotland, with some spelling variations including MacGee, MacGirr, MacGeer, MacGyer and MacEgar.
Although its meaning is uncertain, some researchers believe it may have derived from the Gaelic phrase ma c-ghearr, which translates to “my short”. This suggests it was a nickname for someone of short stature or a young man. Alternatively, it may have come from the phrase ma c-ghair, meaning “my love”, or from the word ‘gearr’ which means “quick” or “fast”.
Although the meaning of McGear is unclear, there are many people with this surname who have made significant contributions to the fields of medicine, politics, art, and science over the years. One prominent example is James McGear, an American artist from Appleton, Wisconsin, who was known for his woodblock prints and landscape drawings.
In summary, the last name McGear is believed to have derived from the old Irish words mac and gearr, and while its exact meaning is unknown, its origins found in northern Ireland and Scotland. Its traditional spelling has evolved over time to become MacGee, MacGirr, MacGeer, MacGyer and MacEgar, and the surname is proudly carried by many people who have achieved success in a variety of fields.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGear: Where does the name McGear come from?
The last name McGear is most commonly found today in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster region of the country. Although present in other parts of the world, the highest concentration of people with the last name McGear are in the Emerald Isle.
McGear is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gabhra, which refers to the geographic area of Gabhra in County Leitrim. The name was brought to Ireland by the Mac Manus clan. Mac Gabhrach is believed to mean 'son of the fork' and was likely originally a nickname for the Mac Manus family.
The McGear name has been found in various records throughout Irish history, with mentions found ranging from as early as the 12th century to contemporary documents. It is common in genealogy searches in Ireland and the diaspora around the world.
In more recent times, the name McGear has been immortalized in the music of Paul McCartney, who used it as a pseudonym when recording different albums. His father was James McCartney and his maternal grandmother was Mary McCartney, daughter of Charles McGear. It was through her line that the McGear surname was passed down to Paul McCartney and his family.
Variations of the surname McGear
The surname McGear is derived from the Irish, and it is an anglicized version of the Gaelic form, Mac Géibheir. The variants of this name include Mac Géibheir, MacGear, McGiare, McGeare, MacGeare, MacGirr, McGirr, Maguire, McGuire, Muir and Owen.
McGear is one of the many variations of an Irish surname. It is derived from Mac Géibheir, meaning "son of the pledge-hero." It is composed of the elements "mac," meaning "son of," and "Géibheir," derived from the Old Irish "gébe," meaning "gift," as well as the pre-Christian Cú Chulainn, a heroic figure in Irish mythology.
The variants of MacGear can be found in Ireland, Scotland, and England. It is most common in Ulster, where it was the name of a number of influential families. It is also found in the Scottish Borders and in Lancashire. In England, the surname is found mainly in Cheshire and Derbyshire.
In terms of spelling, "McGear" and "MacGear" are both accepted spellings, and there are many other variations. The surnames MacGirr, McGirr, Maguire, McGuire, Muir and Owen are all derived from the original Irish name, and they all have their own unique spelling variants.
In conclusion, McGear is an Irish surname derived from Mac Géibheir meaning "son of the pledge-hero." It has many variants, such as MacGear, MacGirr, McGiare, McGirr, Maguire, McGuire, Muir and Owen. It is most common in Ulster, and can also be found in Scotland and England, mainly in the Scottish Borders, Lancashire, Cheshire and Derbyshire areas. There are many accepted spellings of the surname, including "McGear" and "MacGear," as well as the other variants of the name.
Famous people with the name McGear
- Paul McGear: Actor and television producer.
- Billy Mack McGear: American professional wrestler.
- Steve McGear: British musician, singer and songwriter, and brother of Paul McGear.
- Tom McGear: British singer and songwriter.
- Jean McGear: American actress, best known for her role as Vivian on the television series All in the Family.
- Nicole McGear: American actress and producer.
- John McGear: American punk rock singer and bassist.
- Edwin McGear: US Army Lieutenant General.
- William McGear: Canadian ice hockey player.
- Steve McGirk: American actor.