Surname MacUidhir - Meaning and Origin
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MacUidhir: What does the surname MacUidhir mean?
MacUidhir is a traditional Irish surname that originates from the Gaelic language. The direct translation of the name is "son of Odhar", where "Mac" means "son of" and "Uidhir" or "Odhar" is generally understood to mean "dun-colored" or "dull brown". This likely refers to a physical attribute such as hair or complexion of the original bearer. It's worth noting that translations from Gaelic to English are often contextual and open to interpretation. Therefore, there might be slight variations in the meaning across different sources. Over time, the name has had different spellings due to Anglicization, and more commonly known versions of the name include MacQuir and Macguire.
Order DNA origin analysisMacUidhir: Where does the name MacUidhir come from?
The surname MacUidhir is of Gaelic origin, specifically from Ireland. It is derived from the Old Irish name "Odhar," meaning "dun," "pale," or "dull-colored." The prefix "Mac" typically means "son of," so the complete surname can translate to "son of Odhar." Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with "MacUidhir" being just one of its incarnations. In English-speaking countries, this surname is often anglicized into versions like Mahood, McHood, McHoode, or McQuaid.
As to where it is common today, given the vast Irish diaspora, the name can be found in many countries worldwide. Still, it may not be as prevalent as some other Irish surnames due to various historical and population factors. Given its Irish origin, the name can still be found in Ireland primarily, but also in areas with a significant population of Irish descent, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Variations of the surname MacUidhir
The surname MacUidhir is of Irish origin and has several variants, alternative spellings and anglicized forms. This is largely due to phonetic translations when it crossed language barriers and when census and immigration officers recorded the name. The primary spelling variations include MacQuaid, McQuaid, McQuade, Mac Quaid, MacQuoid, McQuiod and MacQuaide.
Other derivations of the same name include Mac Uidhir, MacGuire, and Mac Wooer. The anglicized versions of the name originated from the original Gaelic version of Mac Uidhir, which means 'son of Odhar', the latter being a byname meaning 'dun-coloured'.
The McQuoids and McQuades of Ulster are seen as the representatives of the ancient lords of Fermanagh, the Maguires. The branch of the family settled in Co. Monaghan has always retained the form MacQuaid/McQuaid, but in some parts of Ulster, especially in Co. Antrim, the name has evolved to McQuoid. Hence, these variant surnames fundamentally mean the same and trace back to the same lineage.
Famous people with the name MacUidhir
- Aonghus MacÚidhir: Irish footballer
- Liam MacUidhir: Irish professor and historian
- Fearghal MacÚidhir: Irish singer and musician
- Charles MacUidhir: Irish journalist and historian
- Brid MacÚidhir: Irish author
- Líam Ó Muídhir: Irish language activist
- Máiread MacÚidhir: Irish politician
- Pádraig MacUidhir: Irish actor
- Siobhán MacUidhir: Irish writer
- Shane MacUidhir: Irish producer