Surname MacShera - Meaning and Origin
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MacShera: What does the surname MacShera mean?
The last name MacShera is of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic phrase Mac an t-Saoghaor meaning "son of a collateral heir". As such, it was originally a patronymic surname meaning "son of a lesser lord".
In ancient Ireland and Scotland, the MacSheras were the descendants of families who managed various branches of a larger clan. These families held lower status positions but still had some power and a degree of freedom. They were mostly independent from their clan bosses and had many of the same rights and privileges as their extended family.
The MacShera surname is most associated with the Irish counties of Galway, Limerick and Sligo. It is a very popular last name in these areas, with people who trace their lineage back to the great clans that once ruled the region.
Today, the MacSheras are a proud and hard-working people, highly respected for their intelligence, loyalty and dedication. They have an appreciation and love of their ancestral history and continue to use the name with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisMacShera: Where does the name MacShera come from?
The last name MacShera is most commonly found in Ireland today. Irish surnames, while not always indicative of a person's actual ancestry, are often indicative of ancient tribal divisions in early Ireland.
The specific origin of MacShera is debatable, and has been proposed to have descended from many different sources. Some sources claim the name is derived from the Irish Gaelic septs of Mac Seymoirc, meaning sons of Seymour, an ancient Anglo-Norman clan. Other sources propose that the MacShera surname is native to Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic word 'MacSheair', meaning ‘son of the searcher’.
The majority of contemporary MacSheras are found in counties Cork, Kerry, Galway, Limerick and Mayo. The spelling variations of the surname in those locales include, Macharah, Sherak and more.
The MacShera name is primarily linked to the Gaelic Irish culture, and is still found today in families of Irish descent located around the world. Despite quite a few changes in spelling, the MacShera name has held up strongly over time and is identified by many as a proud Irish surname.
Variations of the surname MacShera
The surname MacShera is an Irish Gaelic surname derived from the popular MacSherry clan in Ireland. This Irish clan is known to have a rich history dating back to at least the 16th century in counties Cork, Kerry, Offaly and Tipperary.
Variant spellings of the surname MacShera include MacSerra, MacSharry, and MacSherra. Commonly mispelled spellings can include McShera, McSerra, McSharry, and McSherra.
The alias surnames associated with this surname are Shelton, Harrington, Harring, Shearon, Shearman, McSheerin, Sheeran, Sheerson, Shirron, Sherran, McSherron, MacGerald, McGerard, McGeer, McGeary, MacDarby, MacDermod, and MacDarby.
It is a common practice in Ireland for families to take on alias surnames to protect their Irish heritage, especially during the months of the year when the English were persecuting Irish Catholics. Interestingly, these aliases often times had a relationship to the original surname, such as those tied to the MacSherry Clan. For instance, Harring, Harrington, and Shearon all have a connection to the Irish name MacSherry, as they all reference to a son of Sherry.
In modern times, families with the surname MacShera will often abbreviate it as MacS or Mac. Because of the long history and genealogical record of the MacSherry clan, a family tree is often times easy to trace for those wanting to gain a better understanding of their surname and Irish heritage.
Famous people with the name MacShera
- Julianne MacShera: American actress known for her roles in films such as Brooklyn (2015), Gifted (2017) and Onward (2020).
- Michael MacShera: Lead singer of the famous Irish indie rock band, The MacShera Brothers.
- Joe MacShera: Former NFL linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Ian MacShera: Lead guitarist for the Australian rock band, The Plug Heads.
- James MacShera: Emmy winning television writer and producer. He has written for the hit show, The Simpsons.
- Gavin MacShera: Voice actor best known for his work in video games such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- Sophie MacShera: British fashion model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue and other high fashion magazines.
- Brendan MacShera: Irish actor known for his roles in the cult classic movie, The Commitments (1991) and the BBC drama, The Fall (2013).
- Rhys MacShera: Professional rugby player who represented Wales in the 2002 Six Nations Championship.
- Morgan MacShera: One of the aptly named baking sisters from the popular baking show, The MacShera Sisters.