Surname McQuaire - Meaning and Origin
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McQuaire: What does the surname McQuaire mean?
The last name McQuaire is believed to be of Scottish origin and is thought to have originated from the Gaelic Mac Uidhir. The prefix ‘Mac’ is the Gaelic for ‘son of’, making the origin of the name the ‘son of Uidhir’. The Gaelic ‘Uidhir’ is believed to be derived from ‘odhar’, meaning ‘dun’ or ‘dusky’ – an adjective which was used to describe someone of dark complexion or auburn hair.
The McQuaires were first found in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, where they had a stronghold of power. The Gallowglass, warriors of Scottish and Nordic origin, appeared in this area in the 14th century, during the reign of the High Kings, and the McQuaires are thought to have been one of these families.
The McQuaire name is thought to have then spread to Scotland from Ireland and then to other parts of the world, particularly during the 19th century when many Scots emigrated to the USA and Australia.
There are many alternate spellings of the McQuaire name, including McQuarrie, MacQuaree, and MacQuary. It is known to have been used in the Isle of Islay, now part of Scotland.
Today, McQuaire is a part of the fabric of many countries and regions throughout the world, with many people sharing the same last name. As well as being proud of their Scottish roots and heritage, McQuaires can now be found in a wide variety of countries and cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQuaire: Where does the name McQuaire come from?
The last name McQuaire can be found today in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and several countries in northern Europe. The surname derives from the Gaelic Mac Uighir, meaning “son of Hugh”, and is thought to have originally been used by families of personal retainers to a powerful chief or lord.
In Scotland, the McQuaire name is most common in the Scottish Borders, the Scottish Lowlands, and the Highlands. It is also found in moderate numbers in Northern Ireland, especially around County Antrim.
In continental Europe, the surname is most commonly found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. It is believed to have arrived there with Scottish and Irish immigrants during the 19th century. For example, in Belgium, where the McQuaire family name has been attributed primarily to the Flemish-speaking population, immigration records have traced the family’s arrival back to the late 19th century.
In the United States, the McQuaire name can be found primarily in states with large concentrations of Irish or Scots-Irish ancestry, such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. More recently, McQuaire immigrants have been found in California, Oregon, Texas, and other states in the American West.
Overall, the McQuaire family name is still found today in various parts of Europe, from the British Isles to continental Europe, and in the United States as well.
Variations of the surname McQuaire
The surname McQuaire has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include MacQuaire, MacWhirrie, MacKwyer, MacVurray, MacVurrie, MacQuire, MacCore, McKwyer, McKwyer, Makayre, Makayer, Makucci, Maquaire, Maquire, Maquyer and Makwhirrie.
The surname is derived from the Scottish Gaelic and Irish Mac Uidhir, which translates to “son of Uidhir”, meaning “son of the dark one”. The root of the surname is Uidhir, which is a personal name of uncertain origin and meaning.
The MacQuaire surname is found in Scotland, Ireland and throughout the British Isles. It is thought to have originated in Scotland, with some of the earliest recorded references being in Ayrshire. The spelling MacQuaire first appeared in Scotland in the mid-17th century, and the name is now widespread throughout Scotland, with the majority found in Ayrshire.
The spelling McKwyer and Makayre are also found in Scotland, Ireland and England, and are variants of the same surname.
The MacWhirrie variant of the surname is believed to be of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Gaelic Mac Fhirich, meaning “son of the furrow”. This version of the surname is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland.
The MacVurray spelling is unique, and is a phonetic spelling of the same surname, found mostly in Scotland and Ireland.
The Maquaire variant of the surname is likely derived from the Scottish surname MacCuaire, which translates to “son of the rock” or “son of the hilly land”. It is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland.
The Makwhirrie, MacCore and Maquyer variants are likely of Scottish and Irish origin and roots, and can be found in Scotland, Ireland and England.
Famous people with the name McQuaire
- Louis McQuaire: Progressive House DJ and music producer
- David McQuaire: former General Manager for the San Francisco 49ers
- Alexander McQuaire: Irish footballer who has played for clubs in England, Scotland, and Ireland
- Jill McQuaire: American film and television actress best known for roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Lisa McQuaire: British singer-songwriter from the UK
- Mike McQuaire: former Canadian NHL hockey player
- Sean McQuaire: Scottish professional rugby league player
- Tom McQuaire: former safeties coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Caitlyn McQuaire: Australian Olympic diver
- Patrick McQuaire: former President and Chairman of the World Bank Group