Surname MacVarry - Meaning and Origin
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MacVarry: What does the surname MacVarry mean?
The last name MacVarry derives from the Gaelic Mac Fhearadhaigh meaning ‘son of Fhearadhaigh’. Fhearadhaigh itself is derived from the old Irish words for ‘man’ and ‘king’. The name appears to have originated in the western part of the Scottish Highlands.
MacVarry is a sept or clan of the larger clan of MacFarlane. The main branches of the clan were located around present day Strathclyde and the region of Lorne in Argyllshire. In the 1500s, the clan moved to Kilmory in Cowal where they were allowed to establish themselves as the ruling family.
In the 1700s, efforts were made to Anglicize the clan name from MacVarry to MacVerry. This name was recorded by the local curate in a list of estimated 80 children born in the region during that period.
MacVarrys today are found around the world, but the largest concentration is still found in Scotland. The family is known for their loyalty, strong sense of justice, and willingness to stick to their roots and traditions. The family is still an active part of the local culture, and continues to show up in records such as births, marriages, and burials.
Order DNA origin analysisMacVarry: Where does the name MacVarry come from?
MacVarry is a Scots-Gaelic surname which means “son of Warner”. Today, it is commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Northern England. In the United States, it is most common in the Northeastern region, with particularly high concentrations of individuals surnamed MacVarry in Massachusetts, New York, Maine, and Connecticut.
In England, MacVarry is most often found along the border with Scotland. In Scotland, the name is especially common in the Ayrshire, Argyll and Clyde areas.
In Ireland, the name MacVarry is most often associated with Counties Donegal and Clare. It is likely that the name originated there, as this was the area to which many Scots-Irish families fled during the 1600s and 1700s when they left Scotland for better economic prospects.
In general, MacVarry is more common today in the more rural areas of Ireland, England, and Scotland. It is not often seen in places with higher populations and less access to traditional rural culture. Despite this, it is possible to find people with this last name in most municipalities throughout these countries.
Variations of the surname MacVarry
The MacVarry surname is of Celtic origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Mhuire which translates to “son of the servant of Mary”. It is also derived from MacFhirbh (“son of the man”). The variants, spellings, and different surnames with the same origin for the surname MacVarry include MacVirr, MacVerr, MacFerra, MacFirg, MacFirvie, MacFervie, MacFery, MacFare, MacVerrie, MacVeer, MacFirrie, Farrell, Ferrell, Ferrel, Farrel, Ferrall, Fara and Ferrill.
The most common variation of MacVarry is Farrell. The Farrell surname is found in many different countries including Ireland, UK, US, Canada and Australia. In Ireland, the Farrell surname is most common in the province of Leinster and particularly in counties such as Louth, Wexford, Kildare and Dublin. The origin of the Farrell surname is believed to be derived from the Gaelic Ó Fearghail, meaning “descendant of Fearghal”.
In Scotland the MacVarry variants are MacFervie and MacFirg. The MacFervie surname is found mainly in the Scottish Highlands and Perth and Kinross areas. The MacFirg surname is found mainly in the far north of Scotland and on the Isle of Skye. The origin of the MacFirg surname is thought to be a combination of “Mac” and the Scottish Gaelic word for “servant”, meaning “son of the servant”.
The MacVarry surname is most common in Ireland and Scotland but is found in many countries throughout the world due to emigration in the 19th century. This is reflected in the many variants, spellings, and surnames which carry the same origin of the MacVarry name.
Famous people with the name MacVarry
- Alexandra MacVarry: Model, actress, and social media influencer
- Douglas MacVarry: Novelist, poet, lyricist, and playwright
- Fiona MacVarry: actress
- Gordon MacVarry: archaeologist
- Ian MacVarry: actor
- Kyle MacVarry: actor
- Mary MacVarry: theater producer and director
- Scott MacVarry: musician and composer
- Sean MacVarry: singer, songwriter, and guitarist
- Stephen MacVarry: actor