Surname Maolcuairt - Meaning and Origin

Maolcuairt: What does the surname Maolcuairt mean?

The last name Maolcuairt is an Irish name which originated in County Monaghan. The meaning of the name is derived from 'maol', meaning bare, and 'cuairt', meaning a visit or view. This could be interpreted to mean ‘bare sight’ or ‘bare survey’, making the name symbolic of someone who takes in their surroundings and pays close attention to detail.

The term ‘Maolcuairt’ is often found in ancient Gaelic texts, meaning ‘measurer of territory’. Much like how surveyors traveled Ireland to survey and measure out lands to be distributed among those in power, the Maolcuairt name is associated with someone who looks beyond what is necessary and notices all elements of a situation or setting.

In modern day, the Maolcuairt surname is still common in certain areas of Ireland. Those carrying the name are often considered to be observant, often noticing things that everyone else does not. The Maolcuairt family are seen to posses certain traits such as being methodical and pragmatic in their approach to life. The idea that the Maolcuairt ancestors were brave surveyors, able to venture into uncharted terrain to take accurate measurements, is still deeply ingrained in the family's identity.

Overall, the last name of Maolcuairt is steeped in history and tradition. The name has been passed down through generations in Ireland, and is thought to symbolise someone with a keen sense of observation and appreciation for the larger context of situations.

Maolcuairt: Where does the name Maolcuairt come from?

The last name Maolcuairt (pronounced MOH-likurt) is a surname that dates back to the 8th century. It is most common in Ireland and Scotland today, with some people bearing the surname found in other parts of the world.

Maolcuairt is derived from the Gaelic term ‘maol cuairt’, which translates to ‘servant of Cuairt’. Cuairt was an Irish saint who lived in the 8th century. To carry his name is a sign of very ancient ancestry—it is a surname that can still be seen in the modern day, mostly in families who are of Irish and Scottish descent.

In Ireland, the surname is most common in County Clare. Records show that families bearing the name can trace as far back as the 13th century, when the ‘Clann Mhaolcuairt’ (the family of Maolcuairt) first arrived. It is believed that they were migrating from Scotland, where the name was also quite common.

In Scotland, records of the surname can be found in the 16th century when families bearing the name settled in Aberdeenshire. Today, the surname is present in other parts of Scotland, as well as in England, Australia, Canada and the United States. Those with the Maolcuairt surname are seen as having a rich cultural heritage as well as a strong connection to the rich history of their families.

Variations of the surname Maolcuairt

The surname Maolcuairt is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic name Ó Maolchuarta, which translates to ‘grandson of the follower of St Columba’ from the Irish maol (‘ bald/ tonsure’) and Chuarta, (‘Columba’).

Variants of the surname could include: Ó Maolchuarta, MacCuarta, Maolcoort, MacCuort, MacOort, MacKort, McKort. There is also an Ulster form of the name, Mulcharth, Mulchairt and Ua Maelchuarta in Leinster.

Spelling variations of Maolcuairt could include: Maolcuairt, Malcuirt, Mallcuir, Maelcuairt, Maelcuir, MacWort, Maelchuart, MacWurt, MacWalter. It is also possible to add prefixes to the surname, for example, Ó, Mac, ap, or Fitz.

Alternative surnames connected to Maolcuairt include: MacArdle, MacCaghtan, MacKissock, MacCoull, MacCloskey, McCooth, McCallion, MacCullagh and McEntaggart.

The origin of the surname is unique to Ireland, primarily in the provinces of Ulster and Leinster, although bearers of the surname can now be found around the world. Today, it is still recognised as one of the oldest Irish surnames in existence.

Famous people with the name Maolcuairt

• Mairéad Ní Mhaoilchatha: Irish Republican and Sinn Féin politician
• Aonghus Ó Maolchaoir: Irish folk singer and fiddler
• Fíona Ní Mhaolchatha: Irish actress and singer
• Déarbháil Ni Mhaoilchuairt: Irish tradition bearer and folklorist
• Gearóid Ó Maolchaoir: Irish composer and conductor
• Clíodhna Ní Mhaolchuairt: Irish musician and singer
• Gillian Áine Ní Mhaolchatha: Irish TV presenter
• Tomás Ó Maolchaoir: Irish tenor and actor
• Cormac Ó Maolchaoir: Irish cinematographer
• Caoimhín Ó Maolchaoir: Irish actor and lyricist

Other surnames

Maolcuairts