Surname MacGirr - Meaning and Origin
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MacGirr: What does the surname MacGirr mean?
The surname MacGirr is derived from the old Irish phrase, "Mac Giolla Mhuire,” which translates to “son of the servant of Mary.” The surname is mostly associated with Ulster, a region in Northern Ireland. It is thought the name originated in a minor clan of the Ulsteran population known as the O'Girrs.
In modern times, the surname is thought to be a variant of the surname McGuirr, which itself is also derived from a Gaelic phrase meaning “son of the servant of Mary.” The two surnames have long been associated with each other, with some sources reporting that McGuirr is the modern spelling of the original MacGirr.
During the 19th century, MacGirr and McGuirr were the two most common surnames for Catholics in the Ulster region. However, there are a few reports of families with this surname in countries elsewhere in Europe, including France, England, Holland, and Germany, which suggests the surname was borne by scattered immigrants from Ireland.
The presence of several variants of the surname over the centuries is evidence of its origins in Gaelic. The etymology of the “-girr” suffix suggests it is a diminutive of the Gaelic personal name Muire, which is another way of referring to Mary. Thus, the surname MacGirr ultimately refers to a person of Irish descent that is a "servant of Mary.”
Order DNA origin analysisMacGirr: Where does the name MacGirr come from?
The MacGirr surname is primarily found in Scotland, where it is thought to have first originated. The earliest record of the name is found in Ayrshire and Galloway, and it is believed to be derived from the Gaelic MacGiarraidh which means "son of Girraidh". The name is also associated with the folk legend of the MacGirr, a giant of a man who lived on the north shore of Loch Lomond.
The majority of MacGirrs continue to live in Scotland, with notable concentrations in the Highlands and western coast, as well as in the middle throughout the country. The surname is also found in England, where it is thought to have been brought over by 18th-century Scots-Irish immigrants. It is also common in Northern Ireland, particularly in Counties Antrim and Londonderry, and in large numbers in the United States and Canada, primarily in areas of Scots-Irish settlement.
The MacGirr name continues to be popular in Scotland today, with the most recent records indicating it as the 1261st most common surname. While it is not found in large numbers, the MacGirr name has a long-standing history in Scotland and continues to be used in the 21st century.
Variations of the surname MacGirr
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacGirr include: MacGear, MacGearr, MacGir, MacGire, MacGyre, MacGyer, MacGyre, MacKear, MacKerr, MacKir, MacKire, MacKyer, MacKyre, Macker, Mackir, Mackire, Mackyer, Mackyre, Meggear, Megger, Meggir, Meggire, Meggyer, Meggyre, McGear, McGerr, McGir, McGire, McGyer, McGyre.
The origin of the surname MacGirr is thought to come from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Gèarraidh which translates as 'son of Gearradh', a personal name meaning 'manly'. The surname is likely to have been brought to Northern Ireland by early Scottish settlers, and was most likely used either as a nickname or as an occupational name for someone who worked with tools.
The various spellings and surnames of the same origin are most likely derived from the various dialects and spellings used throughout Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland by the Scottish settlers and their descendants in different parts of the country. It is also likely that the surname has been adapted and pronounced differently over time as it is passed down through the generations and moved to different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name MacGirr
- Anna MacGirr: Sunderland-born English activist, who is a prominent proponent of de-stigmatizing mental health in the medical community
- Tom MacGirr: Irish radio broadcaster and writer, best known for his work on BBC Radio Ulster
- David MacGirr: Canadian Broadway actor who has starred in multiple musicals such as The Producers, Wicked, and Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Joe MacGirr: Canadian film director and screenwriter who was nominated for an Academy Award for his film The Perfect Game
- Gavin MacGirr: Scottish professional football player and coach, who has served as the head coach for several clubs including Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United
- Tommy MacGirr: Northern Irish poet from Belfast who is widely known for his works on social issues
- Margaret MacGirr: Canadian politician based in the province of New Brunswick who served as the province's first female mayor
- Angus MacGirr: Scottish professional rugby player, who currently plays for the Glasgow Warriors
- Helen MacGirr: British actress and TV presenter, who is best known for her work in the popular children's show Barney and Friends
- Kieran MacGirr: Irish actor, who has appeared in multiple television shows including Game of Thrones, Vikings, and Alias