Surname Mclvor - Meaning and Origin
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Mclvor: What does the surname Mclvor mean?
The last name Mclvor is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Labhruinn, which translates to "son of Labhruinn". The surname comes from the Irish phrase mac Giolla ni Labhruinn, meaning "son of my worshipful master". The forename Labhruinn may itself be derived from the Gaelic words "labh" meaning "olive" and "ruan" meaning "king".
The surname is found primarily in the county of Tyrone in Ulster as Mclvor. Alternative variations of the name Mclvor include MacLvor, MacLoughran and McLorinan. McLorinan is a variant often found in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania due to Ulster-Scots settlers in the mid-eighteenth century.
The Mclvor surname has been found in records from as early as the seventeenth century. There were many of this name living in the parishes of Donagheady and Omagh in Tyrone, as documented in 1659 - 1667 in "Census of inhabitants in counties of Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh at the commencement of the rebellion in 1641".
The Mclvor name has found its way into folklore in the area of Ulster as the Mclvor family appears in an Irish folktale from the 19th century, known as “The Little Fairy of Drumgooland”.
Overall, the Mclvor surname indicates an origin of an old Irish family that was likely well-connected and prosperous. Generally, the traditional meanings of the surname Mclvor are linked to the family's service to worshipful masters, olive kings and a rich Irish heritage from Tyrone and its subsequent emigration in the 19th century.
Order DNA origin analysisMclvor: Where does the name Mclvor come from?
The surname Mclvor is most commonly found in Scotland, especially in areas north of Glasgow. It is one of the oldest and most popular surnames in Scotland, and was originally derived from a Clann name Mac labhruinn (Son of Labhrainn). The name is also found with some frequency in Ireland, especially in Counties Tyrone and Donegal.
The popularity of the surname has spread to other parts of the world, like Canada and the United States. In Canada, the surname is most prevalent in British Columbia, and in the United States, it is most commonly found in the Appalachian region.
Although originally Scottish, many people with the surname Mclvor have since moved away, and the name can now be found in many places all over the world. Other countries where it is common include New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
The surname has become so widespread due to people moving for economic or political reasons, as well as due to intermarriages between different cultures. It is likely that the surname will remain common for years to come, even with the advances in technology and communications.
Variations of the surname Mclvor
The surname Mclvor is believed to originate from the Scottish and Irish naming conventions. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic name MacLabhruinn or MacLeorum, anglicised to Mclvor. In the Scottish and Irish context, the Mac/Mc prefix signifies son of while the Labhruinn/Leorum represents the person.
Variants of the surname Mclvor can include Mclavore, McElveen, McElwee, MacLaurin, MacLoran, and MacLaurie. In some cases there may be slight differences in spelling such as McLavery, McLeervy, McLavrey, and McLorain. The more uncommon spellings of the name, however, might include such as MacLavain, MacLevin, MacLeven, McClearn, McLervoy, McKlauren, and Melvurn.
The surname is often also associated with other surnames which have a similar meaning and origin. These surnames include MacLaverty, MacGlavery, MacFarlan, MacGillivray, MacIlwaine, MacIlvora, and MacFillip.
In Scotland, the Mclvor clan is believed to have been associated with the Lands of Kintra in Kintyre. This clan is believed to have descended from Fergus MacLabhruinn, the son of Gill Patrick MacLabhruinn, who held a family estate in Kintyre in the mid-1400s. Throughout the centuries, the clan has become more widespread and thus various spellings of the name have appeared.
Famous people with the name Mclvor
- Dame Elizabeth Mclvor: former Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Red Cross
- Angus Mclvor: Scottish actor
- Duncan Mclvor: Canadian actor
- Stuart Mclvor: Scottish footballer
- Steve Mclvor: Scottish hockey player
- Kevin Mclvor: British actor
- Tim Mclvor: British actor
- Scott Mclvor: British musician
- Bruce Mclvor: Scottish athlete
- Roseanne Mclvor: Australian actor