Surname MacQuire - Meaning and Origin
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MacQuire: What does the surname MacQuire mean?
MacQuire is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin which means "son of Guire". "Guire" derives from the Gaelic word "Odhar" meaning dun or pale-colored. The surname originated in medieval Ireland and often adapted to various forms like Maguire, MacGuire, and McGuire. The family associated with this surname was considered a powerful clan from Fermanagh County, Northern Ireland. The MacGuires ruled this region from the 13th to the 17th centuries and had a strong influence in Irish politics and history, with several notable individuals carrying the surname. Despite being originally Irish, the surname MacQuire has spread to many English-speaking countries with the Irish diaspora. It is important to note when researching family histories, that spelling variations are common due to transliteration from Gaelic to English, and name changes that occurred upon immigration. The MacQuire surname embodies a rich cultural heritage and is an emblem of Irish ancestral roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuire: Where does the name MacQuire come from?
The surname MacQuire is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mag Uidhir" which loosely translates to "son of Odhar" or "son of the pale-colored one." The name first surfaced in County Fermanagh, where the MacQuire clan held a family seat from ancient times and were notable as the chieftains of Fermanagh until the Protestant confiscation of lands in the 17th century.
The name was then spread across the globe, carried by those who hailed from the Emerald Isle during the Great Famine of the 1840s. Today, the name MacQuire and various other spelling forms like Maguire, McGuire, etc., are found around the world, but they are particularly common in English-speaking countries such as Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, the name retains a strong connection with its Irish roots, remaining prevalent in Ireland, particularly in its origin county, Fermanagh.
Variations of the surname MacQuire
The surname MacQuire has numerous variants and spellings due to its Irish origin and translation into English. Variants and different spellings include Maguire, MacGuire, McGuire, Maguyre, McGuyre, Macuir, Maguir, McQuire, M'Guire, Mcguire, Mcgure, M'Quire, Maquire, and M'guire. Additionally, the prefix Mac or Mc can be added or removed in various spellings.
The original Irish form of the name is Mag Uidhir, which means "son of the brown-haired one". The Ui (O') refers to grandchild or descendant of. Due to regional dialects and pronunciation differences, the name evolved and changed over time. Despite the different representations, each variant retains the original family significance. Also, in certain cases, you might even find the name spelled with a small 'c' instead of capital 'C' which also stands to be correct.
Most of these variations occurred when families emigrated from Ireland during the period dubbed as "Irish Diaspora" and their names got 'anglicized' for convenience. Despite the various spellings, each variant is considered legitimate and connected to the Mag Uidhir family lineage.
Famous people with the name MacQuire
- Tobey Maguire: Although spelled differently, Tobey Maguire is a famous American actor and film producer best known for his role as Peter Parker/Spiderman in the Spiderman trilogy. He has also appeared in movies such as "The Great Gatsby", "Seabiscuit", and "Pleasantville".
- Jerry Maguire: Again, spelled differently, Jerry Maguire is not a real person but a famous fictional character from the film of the same name, played by Tom Cruise. As for the exact spelling "MacQuire", there seem to be no notable figures with this last name as per available online sources.