Surname MacQuaid - Meaning and Origin
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MacQuaid: What does the surname MacQuaid mean?
The last name MacQuaid is of Irish origin. It is thought to have originated as an Anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic “Mac Uaid” which means “son of Uaid”. The Gaelic prefix “Mac” simply means son of, and “Uaid” was the name of an ancestor of the family at some point in history.
This name is most commonly associated with the province of Connaught in Ireland. It is possible that in the past, people who bore this name came from there. Some members of the MacQuaid family may still live in that province.
The original Gaelic form of this surname was “Mac Uaid” but it changed over time. During the English invasions of Ireland, many Irish surnames were Anglicized to make them easier to read and pronounce.
The name MacQuaid may be a tribute to that ancestor who originally bore the name of Uaid. This name carries with it the legacy of an Irish ancestor and the spirit of those who bravely defended their homeland against the English invasions.
For members of the MacQuaid family, the name is a reminder of their heritage and ancestry, as well as a source of pride.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuaid: Where does the name MacQuaid come from?
The last name MacQuaid is a popular Irish surname, and today, MacQuaid can be found across the globe. In the United States, where many Irish immigrants settled in the 18th and 19th centuries, the MacQuaid name is most common in states like Massachusetts, New York, California, and New Jersey. In Ireland, the name remains popular in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, especially in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht.
In other parts of the world, MacQuaid also retains its status as one of the most frequently encountered Irish surnames. In the United Kingdom, in particular, MacQuaid can be commonly found in England, Scotland, and Wales. Aside from the British Isles, MacQuaid is also popular in various parts of Europe, particularly in countries such as Germany, France, and Italy. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also boast significant numbers of MacQuaids in their respective populations.
Additionally, MacQuaids can even be found in far-flung places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. Love of this Irish surname has even seen it take hold in nations of East Africa, with MacQuaid families established in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. From its Gaelic roots, the MacQuaid surname has spread throughout the world, and now represents a proudly shared Irish heritage among many people around the globe.
Variations of the surname MacQuaid
The most common variant of the surname MacQuaid is MacQuade. Some other variant spellings include MacQwade, MacQwaid, M‘Quaid, and MacCwid. Other surnames that can be derived from MacQuaid include Quaid, MacQaid, Qwade, MacQwaid, MacQuaide, and MacQuidden.
The MacQuaid family originated in Co. Tyrone, in the province of Ulster, which is now part of Northern Ireland. The MacQuaid clan descended from an ancient Irish family of the Gallowglass, or ‘Scottish-Irish’. It is believed that the name was originally in the Irish form Mac Uidhir or Mac Vuir, which were anglicised over time to MacQuaid.
MacQuaid is also a surname found in Scotland, where it is believed to be an anglicised version of the old Gaelic name, MacUidhrich. The spelling of MacQuaid is an easy way of distinguishing the surname from its Scottish counterpart, as the Scottish version was often spelled MacQwayd, M‘Qwaide, and M‘Qwaid.
In England, the variant spellings of MacQuaid most commonly found are M’Quaid and McQuade. The spelling of MacQuaid was also recorded in Scotland in the 16th century, as MacUwad or MacQuhayd. Many English families adopted the surname as a result of the Ulster Plantations, which saw Scots Irish families settle in England in the 1500s.
MacQuaid is a rare surname, but by understanding these different variants it can help to uncover the family’s roots. There are a multitude of spellings for MacQuaid, but understanding the different branches of the surname is very important for genealogical research.
Famous people with the name MacQuaid
- Mark MacQuaid: professional mixed martial artist
- Felicity MacQuaid: Australian actress best known for her roles in ‘Matchbox’ and ‘Paradise Beach’
- John MacQuaid: Author of ‘Sea Change’ and ‘Deliver Us from Evil’
- Patricia MacQuaid: American fashion designer and television personality
- Paul MacQuaid: Canadian Olympic swimmer
- Jessica MacQuaid: Former star of ‘One Tree Hill’
- Anne MacQuaid: Member of the Irish folk band Na Fianna
- Cian MacQuaid: Irish actor known for his roles in ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Ondine’ and ‘My Left Foot’
- Lawrence MacQuaid: British actor best known for his role in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’
- Robert MacQuaid: Australian environmental activist and conservationist