Surname Mac-Uidhir - Meaning and Origin
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Mac-Uidhir: What does the surname Mac-Uidhir mean?
The surname Mac-Uidhir translates to "son of Odhar” in Scottish Gaelic. It's a patronymic surname meaning that it is based on the name of a father or ancestor, specifically the father of the original bearer.
The Clan Mac-Uidhir, or MacUdhir, is believed to have originated from Ulster, Ireland, and eventually moved across to the west of Scotland where they settled in Appin and Skye. There is also a tradition that they may be descended from Kenneth MacAlpin, the ancient Scottish King, through the Lord of the Isles.
The MacUdhirs were often found in the service of powerful clans such as the MacDonalds and the Campbells. Throughout the Scottish Highland histories, the MacUdhirs are known in clan wars and battles, and they were particularly important in fights between the powerful Campbell Clan and MacDonalds, as they acted as a steady force in the region.
Today, the Mac-Uidhir surname is still carried by those who descend from Clan MacUdhir. Many of these people still live in Scotland, including on the northwest coast in areas such as Skye, Appin, and other islands. It is not a particularly rare family name, with over 5,000 people carrying it in many countries all over the world.
Overall, the last name Mac-Uidhir has Gaelic origins and has been an important part of Scottish Highland clan history for many centuries. It carries with it a long history of dedication and service to powerful clans, and today is carried proudly by those who can trace their lineage to Clan MacUdhir.
Order DNA origin analysisMac-Uidhir: Where does the name Mac-Uidhir come from?
The last name Mac-Uidhir is a very ancient name, with origins dating back in the Celtic migrations of the 5th century BC. Although there is some debate about its exact meaning, the most likely interpretation is that of “son of Uidhir”. Over the centuries, the Mac-Uidhir name has spread all over the world, though currently, it is most common in the British Isles.
In Scotland, the Mac-Uidhir name is especially common, and the Mac-Uidhir clan is still present there today. This is mainly due to the fact that most of the earliest Mac-Uidhir families who migrated to Scotland settled in the Highlands and Western Isles, an area that was described as being very “clannish” in character. Here, the Mac-Uidhir name is still frequently encountered, though it is mainly limited to the more rural areas - though some families have now spread to the major cities.
In Ireland, the Mac-Uidhir name is also still reasonably frequent, though the prevalence is nowhere near that seen in Scotland. However, it is still relatively common in certain areas, though more so in the more remote parts of the country like the north-west.
The Mac-Uidhir name has also spread to other parts of the world, and is most particularly common in the United States and Canada. It is interesting to note that, in America, many people bearing the Mac-Uidhir name are descendants of Scottish emigrants who settled in these countries during the 1700s and 1800s.
Today, then, the last name Mac-Uidhir is still widespread, though its frequency is higher in certain locations such as Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. In general, it is particularly common in rural areas, where certain Gaelic traditions involving the Mac-Uidhir name and related clans are still kept alive.
Variations of the surname Mac-Uidhir
The Mac-Uidhir surname is a Gaelic Anglicized surname, so there are various forms of the same name. The most common variants and spellings of the Mac-Uidhir surname include MacUidhir, MacQuidir, MacQuidhir, MacQuidder, MacGwidir, and MacGwiddr. This surname is descended from the ancient and powerful Ui Néill clan and was especially prominent in County Leitrim.
The Irish spelling of the Mac-Uidhir surname is Mac Uidhir, with the "Uidhir" part of the surname derived from the Irish word "Oidhir" which means "stranger", which reflects the medieval name for a foreigner or non-Gaelic person.
Apart from the variants of the MacUidhir described above, there are a few other surnames that have the same origin. These include MacQuoid, Gwyddre, Gwythe, and MacGlende. In Irish, "glende" is derived from the Latin word "glinde", meaning a valley or glen.
Variations of the MacUidhir surname have been found in Scotland too. These include MacHudher, MacHuther, MacHudhery, and MacHuithir. In Irish, "huithir" means "hater".
The Mac-Uidhir surname is sometimes confused with the Irish surnames McGuire and McGuirey. While both these surnames are of Irish origin, they are not related to the Mac-Uidhir surname.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames for the Mac-Uidhir family are: MacUidhir, MacQuidir, MacQuidhir, MacQuidder, MacGwidir, MacGwiddr, MacQuoid, Gwyddre, Gwythe, MacGlende, MacHudher, MacHuther, MacHudhery, MacHuithir, McGuire and McGuirey.
Famous people with the name Mac-Uidhir
- Donal MacUidhir, Irish gaelic football player
- Seachnall MacUidhir, Irish poet and writer
- Tommy MacUidhir, Irish filmmaker
- Máighréad MacUidhir, Irish singer-songwriter
- Mícheál MacUidhir, Irish artist and author
- Breandán MacUidhir, Irish language activist
- Liam MacUidhir, Irish musician and producer
- Cormac MacUidhir, Irish storyteller
- Darach MacUidhir, Irish actor
- Seán MacUidhir, Irish novelist and playwright