Surname MacIvor - Meaning and Origin
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MacIvor: What does the surname MacIvor mean?
MacIvor is a known variant of the Scottish surname MacIver, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Íomhair," meaning "son of Íomhar." The name Íomhar is also derived from the Old Norse personal name "Ívarr.". This suggests that the MacIvors may descend from the gaelicized Norse who inhabited the western isles and Highlands of Scotland during the Viking Age. Additionally, the presence of this surname suggests that individuals bearing this name could be descendants of Íomhar, the eldest son of King Olav the White of Dublin and Norse King of Dublin and his cousin King Olaf II. It is important to note that surnames became necessary when governments started levying personal taxes. Therefore, the MacIvor surname was originally a patronymic surname which varied over time due to linguistic and cultural changes. Thus, the name has many variants including MacGure, Macure, and more, but all demonstrating similar historical ancestry and lineage. It should be stressed that not all family members would have borne the same surname, particularly in the early years of surname usage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIvor: Where does the name MacIvor come from?
The surname MacIvor is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name MacÌomhair, meaning "son of Ìomhar". Ìomhar is the Gaelic equivalent of the name Ivor, which is of Old Norse origin (from the name Ívarr) and means "bow warrior".
MacIvor is common in Scotland, specifically in Argyll, an area in the western part of the country. The name is most prevalent in the regions surrounding Loch Fyne and Loch Awe. Furthermore, it is reported that a significant proportion of MacIvors were driven to the Isle of Islay during the Highland Clearances in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Today, with the Scottish diaspora, MacIvor can be found in various countries across the globe where Scottish people have emigrated. This includes nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others. However, it remains most common in Scotland and, to a lesser degree, in other parts of the United Kingdom. Outside the UK, countries with a significant population of Scottish descent, like the U.S. and Canada, tend to have a higher incidence of the MacIvor surname.
Variations of the surname MacIvor
The surname MacIvor has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is primarily a Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic phrase "Mac Íomhair", which translates to "son of Íomhar". Íomhar is the Gaelic form of the Anglicised name Ivor.
Alternative spellings of the surname primarily change the structure while keeping the core intact. Common variants include: McIvor, MacIver, McIver, MacIvor, and MacIvoran, all with or without the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac', which signifies 'son of' in Gaelic.
In some cases, the name may have been anglicised to Ivor. Over time, other surnames that may have originated from a similar root include MacGiver, which is potentially derived from the Scottish surname MacGhobhainn which translates to "son of the smith".
It's important to note that the evolution, alteration, and adaptation of surnames have been influenced by factors including dialect, regional accents, and spellings. Hence, the specific surname can differ greatly, even within the same family lineage. The above-mentioned variants are some of the most commonly recognized in genealogical and historical record contexts.
Famous people with the name MacIvor
- Daniel MacIvor: A Canadian actor, playwright, theatre director, and film director known for winning a Governor General's Award in Drama.
- Jessica MacIvor: An Australian artistic gymnast who took part in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Andrew MacIvor: British producer known for his work on popular films like "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
- Natalie MacIvor: An Australian Paralympic swimmer.
- Ian MacIvor: A senior master mariner and historian in New Zealand.
- Robert MacIvor: Writer and linguist known for his translations of several literary works.
- David C. MacIvor: Canadian World War II veteran and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
- Derek MacIvor: Scottish footballer who played professionally in the 1950s.
- Ewen MacIvor: Scottish folksinger and songwriter, part of the band The Cliks.
- Fergus MacIvor: A fictional character, the romantic hero of Sir Walter Scott's novel Waverley. Please note that the list might not be exhaustive and might also include some less-famous figures, as there aren't many widely known figures with this surname. Some might also appear under different spellings of the name.