Surname MacGwyer - Meaning and Origin
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MacGwyer: What does the surname MacGwyer mean?
The last name MacGwyer is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Uidhir, meaning 'son of the small black one'. The origin of the name is likely to be from the name Uidhir, an ancient Irish name. It appears to have been a fairly common name, found in many areas of Ireland.
The name MacGwyer is most likely to have been a hereditary surname that was in use by families whose ancestors were descended from the Uidhir family, which dates to the early 14th century. The MacGwyers were described as 'lords of the soil' and were land owners in the area. The family had a large presence in the parts of Ireland that are now known as Counties Meath, Cavan and Roscommon.
The MacGwyers were strongly associated with the Irish language, which they used in everyday life. Many members of the family were involved in the study of the Irish language, such as the two brothers, Micheal and Pádraig, who were said to have been proficient in both the old and modern forms of the language.
The MacGwyers were also known for their excellent skills in crafts such as woodwork, embroidery and pottery. The family were also well known for their military prowess.
The MacGwyers are still associated with several areas in Ireland today, particularly County Cavan, and are believed to be direct descendants of the original Uidhir family. The name is likely to remain in use for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGwyer: Where does the name MacGwyer come from?
The last name MacGwyer is believed to have originated in Ireland, although the exact origin is disputed. It is rare today in Ireland, with the majority of name-bearers now living in the United State. It is most commonly found in Scotland, New England, and the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Uaidhir" and is thought to mean "son of Uidhir" or "son of anger". In Scotland, the name is spelled as MacGwire and in the United States is normally seen as MacGuire or McGwier.
In New England, the name can be seen engraved on gravestones, inscribed into old documents, and appears in the records of the County of Bristol in Massachusetts and in pre-Revolutionary War records in Pennsylvania.
In Scotland, the name is found frequently in the West Highlands and Islands, particularly around the Isle of Skye. It is found in records of early 19th century Scotland and in the 1851 Census of Scotland.
In Canada, the name can be found in records of the Mi'kmaq people who were among the first inhabitants of the eastern seaboard of what is today Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The spelling of the name varies including MacQuarrie and MacGuire.
Today, the last name MacGwyer is primarily found in the United States. It can also be found in Scotland and Canada but is quite rare in Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacGwyer
The surname MacGwyer can be spelled in multiple ways such as MacGuire, McGuire, McGwire, Maguire, Magee, Magwyre, Maguire, MacQuire, and MacGwire. The variants are commonly associated with the Irish surname originating from Ulster. The surname was first documented as Mag Uidir, and comes from the Gaelic Mac Uidhir, which was a final element added to the patronymic name ‘Uidhir’, meaning ‘descendant of’. The MacGwyer surname is a variant of the Maguire surname, which is usually spelled McGuire. MacGwire and Magwyre variants may also be found.
The earliest records of the variant spellings of MacGwyer were found in Fermanagh, which was home to the ancient kingdom of Mag Uidir, and in County Louth and County Down. Other variants of the surname may be found in England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Some other surnames associated with the MacGwyer origin are McEwen, Wier, Weer, and Wyer. MacGwyer may also be seen as a diminutive of another well-known name, Mackenzie.
In conclusion, the surname MacGwyer is a variant of the Maguire surname, and can be spelt similarly or similarly with alternate spellings. The variants and surnames of the same origin are McGuire, McGwire, Maguire, Magee, Magwyre, MacQuire, and MacGwire. It is associated with the ancient kingdom of Mag Uidir, and is also found in several other countries. Other surnames related to MacGwyer are McEwen, Wier, Weer, and Wyer, as well as its diminutive form, Mackenzie.
Famous people with the name MacGwyer
- Jodi MacGwyer: Award-winning television personality and talk show host
- Jim MacGwyer: Former professional basketball player and NBA All-Star
- Marlene MacGwyer: Actress best known for her role in the hit TV show 'Full House'
- Kevin MacGwyer: Grammy-winning musician and producer
- Stephen MacGwyer: Award-winning film director and screenwriter
- Arnold MacGwyer: Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author
- Colin MacGwyer: Winner of multiple Emmy awards for his work on 'The Daily Show'
- Shelley MacGwyer: Ten-time Olympic gold medalist
- Emilia MacGwyer: Singer-songwriter who has sold millions of records worldwide
- Rob MacGwyer: Two-time Academy Award-winning actor
- Patrick MacGwyer: Innovative CEO and business leader
- Claire MacGwyer: Influential political figure and former member of Congress
- Mia MacGwyer: Best-selling author of children's books
- Barry MacGwyer: Renowned self-help guru and motivational speaker
- Robert MacGwyer: Iconic fashion designer and founder of 'MacGwyer'
- Miles MacGwyer: Famous tennis player and singles Grand Slam winner
- Hugh MacGwyer: Notable environmental activist and co-founder of Greenpeace
- Leslie MacGwyer: World-renowned art historian and museum curator
- Pauline MacGwyer: Emmy-winning television producer and writer
- Kenneth MacGwyer: Celebrated photographer and curator of the National Portrait Gallery