Surname MacGeer - Meaning and Origin
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MacGeer: What does the surname MacGeer mean?
The last name MacGeer is an Irish surname of Scottish origin. It is an anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Gheoir. Meaning “son of Geoir”, Geoir was a personal name derived from the Old Gaelic word for “ready”. The MacGeers were believed to descend from an ancient Gaelic family in the Highlands of Scotland, believed to trace their ancestry to the legendary Fergus Mor Mac Erc, a powerful 11th century King of Dalriada who spread from the area of present day Argyll to Ireland.
The MacGeer surname is associated with a particular region in Ireland known as Ulster where the name is predominately found. Ulster is home to many clans and families of Scottish descent that emigrated there as part of the Plantations of Ireland in the early 1600s.
Those bearing the MacGeer surname are likely to be of either Scottish or Irish descent and typically adhere to the Roman Catholic faith. It is a surname which is relatively rare and can still be found predominantly in Ulster. It also bears some resemblance to the name McGarvey, another Scottish-Irish ancestry that is found in the same region.
In this modern age, MacGeer surname is still used by many people of Irish and Scottish heritage as a way of preserving their family’s history and to keep a connection to their past.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGeer: Where does the name MacGeer come from?
The last name MacGeer is predominantly found in parts of Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, MacGeer is most prominently seen in the Outer Hebrides, located off the northwest coast. The name is so common in the Outer Hebrides that it is thought to have originated in these islands. Around the ninth century, the family originally travelled to Scotland from neighboring Ireland, where some of the bearers of the name still live today.
The rest of Scotland has a fair share of MacGeers, primarily in Argyll, Ayrshire, and some in the Edinburgh and Glasgow regions. In Ireland, the name is most commonly seen in the north and East. However, many North Americans with MacGeer heritage have their roots from Scotland. The United States remains a popular destination for those with the MacGeer last name. In the U.S., you can find MacGeers primarily in California, Texas, and Florida.
In recent years, the last name MacGeer has seen a sharp increase in usage, with thousands of people across the globe carrying on the proud MacGeer moniker. Despite its Scottish and Irish origins, the MacGeer name is most certainly a global presence today.
Variations of the surname MacGeer
The surname MacGeer is of Irish and Scottish origin and has a variety of spellings and variant surnames. Some of the spellings include MacGirr, McGir, MacGeer, MacGear, MacGeir, MacGyver, MacGiver, MacGover, MacGwaer, MacGewer and MacGower.
Variant surnames that stem from MacGeer include Geer, Girr, Geir, Gear, Giver, Gover, Gwaer, Gewer, and Gower. Additionally, spellings of MacGeer in Ireland include MacGeagh, MacGeery, MacGwire, Magwire, and Maguire.
The surname is derived from the ationymic (prefix + name) of Ingram which is an old Norman name. Ingram is derived from the Germanic elements "ing," meaning “god” and “ram,” meaning “raven.” It also has connotations with Viking gods, and ultimately a raven symbol.
MacGeer is a very common surname in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, with a variety of origins and spellings. It is common to find this surname anglicized in various ways, for example as Girr or Geer. It is more common to find the MacGeer spelling and variant surnames in Scotland, particularly in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.
Overall, the surname MacGeer and its various spellings and variants can be found all over Ireland, Scotland, and England and can be traced back to Norman roots.
Famous people with the name MacGeer
- Paul MacGeer: Famous Canadian art director and production designer who has worked in several popular TV series such as The X-Files and Twin Peaks.
- Ashley MacGeer: Canadian activist and columnist whose work appears in the Globe and Mail newspaper.
- Jack MacGeer: Award-winning Canadian actor and director who is known for his performances in shows such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Dreamscapes.
- Ron MacGeer: A professional musician and bandleader who plays primarily jazz and rock and roll.
- Mae MacGeer: Canadian actress who is most notably known for her roles in films such as Saving Private Ryan and Sudden Death.
- Patricia MacGeer: Canadian musician and vocalist who is the lead singer of the band Walrus.
- Roderick MacGeer: Canadian rock and jazz drummer who is best known for playing with the rock band Big Wreck.
- Lori MacGeer: Canadian businesswoman and entrepreneur who is the founding partner of the marketing firm MaxMac.
- Brian MacGeer: Canadian screenwriter, director, and producer who is best known for his work on the television series Flashforge.
- Drew MacGeer: Musician and songwriter who was a member of the punk band The Tragically Hip and who occasionally performs solo shows.