Surname McGuire - Meaning and Origin

Metamorphosis of a McGuire: An Emotional Sojourn with iGENEA

I embarked on a journey with iGENEA to explore my ancestry, not realizing the emotional rollercoaster it would lead to. As the DNA test unearthed a complex mix of ancestries under the surname McGuire, it ushered in a newfound respect for my lineage and redefined my understanding of identity and 'belonging'.

M. McGuire

McGuire: What does the surname McGuire mean?

The last name McGuire is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Uidhir". In this term, "Mag" means "son of" and "Uidhir" means "dun or dark colored". Hence, the name McGuire essentially signifies "son of the dun-colored (brown or dark) one." It originated as a patronymic name, referring to the son of a person who had brown or dark-colored hair or complexion. This name is prevalent in Northern Ireland, especially areas such as Fermanagh. It's important to note that the spelling of surnames can often change over time and can vary, McGuire, for example, can also be seen spelled as Maguire. Like many surnames, understanding its meaning provides a historic or descriptive insight into the original bearer of the name.

McGuire: Where does the name McGuire come from?

The last name McGuire is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Uidhir," which means "Son of Odhar" or "Son of the Dun-coloured (one)." This name stems from a noble lineage that ruled the Kingdom of Fermanagh, in Ireland, from the 13th to 17th centuries. Today, it remains predominantly common in Ireland, following traditional Irish naming patterns. However, due to Irish emigration over the centuries, the McGuire surname has also spread to other Anglophone countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. In these countries, the name may sometimes be anglicized to "McGuire" or simply "Guire". Hence, while the highest concentration of people with the McGuire surname can still be found in Ireland, a significant number of McGuires can also be found scattered throughout English-speaking countries across the globe.

Variations of the surname McGuire

The surname McGuire, drawn from the Irish "Mag Uidhir," has various spellings and variants due to geographical nuances, cultural influences, and transliteration into various languages. The common variants include Maguire, McGuier, McQuir, and MacGuire.

This surname also has different versions in other countries such as Guire in France and MacUidhir in Scotland. It can also be found in surnames like O'Guire and MacQuire.

In certain contexts, and especially in older documents, the surname might appear prefixed with "O'" or "Mac," which are traditional Gaelic terms meaning "descendant of" and "son of," respectively. Therefore, you might see O'Maguire or MacMaguire as variants as well. Additionally, McGuire could even be shortened to Guire or presented with Mc or Mac capitalized, as in Mc Guire or Mac Guire.

Please note, however, the spelling and variant could substantially vary, and there might well be other unmentioned versions depending on specific regional dialects and historical shifts in language.

Famous people with the name McGuire

• Lizzie McGuire: Fictional character and teen icon from the Disney Channel's series of the same name, played by actress Hilary Duff.
• Jerry McGuire: Fictional character from the popular 90s film "Jerry Maguire," played by Tom Cruise.
• Mark McGuire: Retired American Major League Baseball player, considered one of the greatest home run hitters in the history of the sport.
• Paul McGuire: Television talk-show host, professor, and author of many Christian-themed books.
• Tug McGraw: Major League Baseball relief pitcher and father of country music star Tim McGraw.
• Howard McGuire: A famed opera singer, known for her wide-ranging mezzo-soprano voice
• Ewan McGregor: Though not spelled exactly the same, the Scottish actor known for his roles in "Trainspotting" and "Star Wars."
• Alister McGuire: Well-known British economist and professor of health economics.
• Teddie McGuire: American actress known for her work in the early film industry in the 1930s and 1940s.
• Phyllis McGuire: Member of the singing trio, The McGuire Sisters, popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Eden McGuire: Prominent Author known for her work in science fiction genre.
• Christine McGuire: Oldest of the singing McGuire Sisters trio.
• Dorothy McGuire: American actress nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947).

Other surnames

McGuieneMcGuierMcGuinMcGuineMcGuinesMcGuinessMcGuineyMcGuinnMcGuinneMcGuinnesMcGuinnessMcGuirk