Surname Muir - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Celtic Ancestry and Beyond: iGENEA DNA Test Deciphers the Muir Surname

Embarking on an explorative quest into my ancestry, I took the iGENEA DNA test to uncover the roots of my surname, Muir. The results exposed a vivid mosaic of history, linking my lineage to a Celtic heritage, the Viking lineage, ancient migrations, and Scottish moorland. Thus, my surname unfolded a fascinating chapter of my ancestral journey.

H. Muir

Muir: What does the surname Muir mean?

The last name Muir primarily originates from Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name is derived from the Scots Gaelic word "mòr," meaning "sea" or "moor." Therefore, one interpretation is that the name could have been a topographic name for someone who lived on a moor or by the sea. Alternatively, it might have been used as a nickname for someone who was large or tall, as "mòr" can also mean "big" or "great" in Scots Gaelic. It's important to note that meanings can vary depending on geographical and historical contexts. Like many surnames, interpretations can differ. Therefore, although "sea," "moor," and "big" are commonly understood meanings for the surname, they might not cover each instance of the surname's usage.

Muir: Where does the name Muir come from?

The surname Muir is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, and Canada today.

In Scotland, the name is found in its highest numbers in the Highland and Island regions, as well as in the Fife, East Renfrewshire, and North Lanarkshire areas. It is among the fifty most common surnames in the country, reflecting the number of families who trace their ancestry to the Gàidhealtachd or ‘highland areas’.

In Canada, the surname Muir has a heavy presence in Nova Scotia, especially in Pictou, Halifax, and Cape Breton. It has also been heavily found in the Victoria, British Columbia area, reflecting the strong Scottish heritage of the area. The surname is also common in Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.

This popularity of the surname in Scottish-populated parts of Canada and the United Kingdom makes it quite common, although less so in other parts of the world. It’s also worth knowing that Muir is not mutually exclusive to Scotland and can be found in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and other places.

In the United States, the surname Muir is also found in fairly high numbers, reflecting the large numbers of Scottish and British immigrants to the country, especially on the East Coast. The name appears in all states east of the Mississippi River, and can even be found in California. It’s also quite common throughout the Midwest, especially in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Variations of the surname Muir

The surname Muir is derived from the Scots Gaelic word ‘muir’ which means ‘sea’ or ‘moorland’. It is a popular surname throughout the UK, Australia, and North America.

Variants of Muir include ‘Mure’, ‘Moore’ and ‘More’. Spellings of the surname include ‘Morr’ and ‘Moir’ and it is also found under the alternate surname form (with or without a pending ‘Mac’) as ‘McMoor’, ‘MacMoir’, and ‘MacMoore’.

Various other cognate or derived surnames also exist, such as ‘Muire’, ‘Murr’, ‘Murra’, ‘Mure’, ‘Murrey’, ‘Murey’, and ‘Murie’. As the surname evolved, other variants also began to appear, including ‘Moris’, ‘Morisse’, ‘Morrys’, and ‘Moyers’.

The surname Muir is also found in some places as ‘Mayer’, ‘Meyer’, and ‘Moyir’. There are also many variant spellings of Muir throughout Europe, such as ‘Maur’, ‘Maurr’, ‘Maures’, and ‘Mauro’, among others.

In Australia, some families of Muir have also adopted the surname ‘Myers’ or ‘Myres’. In some parts of Scotland, the surname has also been modified to form such names as ‘Muyr’ and ‘Moiris’.

Overall, the surname Muir is fairly common in the UK, North America, and Australia. It is spelled and pronounced differently in different countries, but is always derived from the Scots Gaelic word ‘muir’, meaning ‘sea’ or ‘moorland.’

Famous people with the name Muir

• John Muir (1838-1914): Naturalist, author and founder of the Sierra Club.
• Edvard Muir (1902-1979): Norwegian journalist, writer and poet.
• Dave Muir (1972-): American news anchorman for ABC World News Tonight.
• Sir David Muir (1882-1966): Scottish Conservative politician and newspaper editor.
• Paul Muir (1953-): Award-winning Scottish actor.
• Peter Muir (1954-): Australian rules footballer for North Melbourne Football Club.
• John Ruskin Muir (1856-1919): Scottish engineer and creative director of the Sierra Club.
• Eleanor Muir (1903-1976): English author and editor.
• William Muir (1922-2015): British biblical scholar and professor.
• Johann Muir (1970-): German alpine skier.
• Graham Muir (1947-): Scottish painter and author.
• Bryan Muir (1975-): Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Flora Muir (1853-1948): Scottish teacher and trade unionist.
• Charlotte Muir (1924-2013): English poet and professor.
• Anne Muir (born 1945): Australian nurse, medical researcher and the first women to be appointed Professor at the University of Sydney.

Other surnames

MuiceMuinonenMuisMuise