Surname Macquhirr - Meaning and Origin

Macquhirr: What does the surname Macquhirr mean?

The surname Macquhirr is believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic word "MacUisdin"—a patronym derived from a personal name, possibly meaning "son of Uisdein" or "son of Osdalt." Its place of origin is unclear, though it appears to have roots in Scotland and Ireland. As a Scottish surname, it may have emerged from the Clan MacQuhirr of the Scottish Highlands, who trace their ancestry to an ancient Pictish chieftain.

The most common version of its translation is derived from the Gaelic “Mac” (son) and “Uisdin” (Ossian). In this interpretation, the name implies a descendent of Ossian, a legendary warrior-poet from the 3rd century AD. The given name Osdalt is thought to be derived from Old Norse and Celtic “Odd/Odog,” meaning brave, and “alt,” meaning owl or foreigner.

Although its exact meaning is unclear, the name Macquhirr is imbued with a strong sense of family, pride, and heritage. Its bearer has a proud legacy of struggle, conquest and strength embedded in their very identity. However, the true beauty and richness of the Macquhirr surname lies in the bond that exists between those who proudly carry it—a reminder of where they have come from and a bond that will outlast them all.

Macquhirr: Where does the name Macquhirr come from?

The last name Macquhirr is not common today, and it likely originated from Scotland. The name is believed to be a variation of the Irish name Mac Uí Chuaire, which means son of O’Cuiragh. The name has been Anglicized over time, becoming MacQuhirr as some altered spellings suggest.

For the past few centuries, the surname Macquhirr has been associated with Scotland, particularly the Highlands. In the Scotland Census of 1881, the name was referred to as Macquhir and other spelling variations, indicating a presence in the region. Even today, the name is still used in Scotland with a long history of usage in the areas of Fife, Angus, and Inverness-shire.

However, more recently migrations of Scots and Scots-Irish to the United States and Canada has brought the name of Macquhirr to North America, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. As people moved to the new continent, many kept their surnames and thus preserved the rare name, which is now used on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Macquhirr surname is now to be found in small pockets in the United States and Canada, as well as other parts of the world. In Canada, the name can be found in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Alberta. In the United States, there are notable concentrations in some regions, like the Jersey Shore region and in pockets throughout the Midwest. Therefore, people with the rare Macquhirr surname can now be found in many parts of the world, but it is still a relatively uncommon name.

Variations of the surname Macquhirr

Macquhirr is a surname believed to have originated in Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Uchdar", meaning "son of the border" or "son of the hill moss". Variations of the last name include Macguhir, Macgurchir, Macquhir and Macquher. It is most commonly found in the Scottish Highlands and Islands and is also present in Ireland.

The surname has a number of variant spellings. These include Macguchar, MacQuar, MacQhirr, MacQuhir, MacQuhyr, and MacQuhire. This wide range of spellings has been attributed to the phonetic adaptation of the Gaelic language.

In addition to the various spellings, many surnames with similar roots and origins are derived from Macquhirr. These include Makgolir, Malkhulir, Macquirm, MacCuirim, MacDurard and MacCuirr, among others.

Macquhirr is also found around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the US, the surnames McKirr, McKear and McKirey are derived from the original name. Families bearing these surnames can trace their roots to Scotland or Ireland.

Various other surnames are believed to be derived from the name Macquhirr, such as McQuarrie, McCUhirr and McGurk. These are generally found in Scotland or Ireland, although there are also examples of them further afield.

This range of variants, spellings and surnames demonstrates the geographical and historical depth of Macquhirr. While the exact origin of the name remains uncertain, it is evident that it carries a rich and diverse history.

Famous people with the name Macquhirr

• David Macquhirr: A tourist safety officer at a Northern Territory, Australia Air Tests and Evaluation.
• Tom Macquhirr: A former Australian rules football player.
• Allan Macquhirr: A Queensland Government Parliamentary Secretary from 2004-2006.
• Sarah Macquhirr: A NSW representative for The Greens party in the state parliament.
• Walter Macquhirr: A Northern Irish chess player, best known for his participation in the British Chess Championship of 1954.
• Andrew Macquhirr: An Australian actor and theatre director.
• Ashley Macquhirr: An Aboriginal leader from the Northern Territory, Australia.
• John Macquhirr: The former coach of the Australia's Olympic women's water polo team.
• Keith Macquhirr: An Australian classical guitarist and pedagogue.
• Steven Macquhirr: An Australian actor and artist.

Other surnames

MacQuhire