Surname McGwire - Meaning and Origin
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McGwire: What does the surname McGwire mean?
The surname McGwire is of Irish origin and is a version of the Irish surname Mag Uidhir, which translates to "son of Odhar". The word 'Odhar' in Irish Gaelic language means 'dun-colored' or 'dull brown', usually referring to the color of hair. This suggests that the name might have originally been a nickname for someone with brown or dull-colored hair. Over time, as surnames became hereditary, this descriptive term evolved into a family name. Variations of the surname include Maguire, McGuire, and MacGuire. It is a patronymic surname that has been in use for many centuries. It gained prominence because of several notable people bearing the name, such as the professional baseball player Mark McGwire. This surname has an interesting cultural history and serves as a reminder of Ireland's rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGwire: Where does the name McGwire come from?
The surname McGwire has Irish origins and is a variant of the Gaelic surname Mag Uidhir, which means “son of Odhar” or “son of the dun-colored one.” The first part of the surname "Mag" is derived from "Mac," meaning "son of," followed by "Uidhir," referring to an old Gaelic personal name. The original family home of the Mag Uidhir clan was in County Fermanagh, in the Northern region of Ireland, where they held a family seat as lords and chiefs.
Today, the name isn't confined solely to Ireland. As a result of immigration and the Irish diaspora, it's found across English-speaking countries around the world, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Despite its dispersal, the surname McGwire remains more commonly encountered in Ireland, particularly the northern region. Of course, the name also gained fame in the United States thanks to former professional baseball player Mark McGwire.
Variations of the surname McGwire
The surname McGwire is of Scottish origin and is categorized under an anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Uidhir, which means 'son of Odhar'. Over time, the surname has seen several variations in its spelling as it was passed down through generations and spread through different locations. These variations often occurred due to illiteracy amongst early ancestors of the surname when scribes recorded names phonetically. Different accents and dialects also led to the creation of varied spellings.
Some of the most popular spellings of McGwire include Maguire, McGuire, MacGuire, and MagQuire. Other historical variations are Maguier, M'Guire, and M'Guier. It's worth noting that Maguire is the most commonly used form in Ireland, while McGuire is more commonly seen in Scotland and the United States.
The surname Mag Uidhir from which McGwire originated is also related to variants like Uídhír and Ódhar, which are present in Gaelic regions. Despite these variations in spelling, McGwire and its variants all refer back to the same Irish and Scottish clans and carry a similar meaning related to the colour 'dun' or 'pale-coloured'.
Famous people with the name McGwire
- Mark McGwire: Known as "Big Mac," Mark McGwire is a retired professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball predominantly as a first baseman from 1986 to 2001. He has the noteworthy achievement of being one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history.
- Dan McGwire: He is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1991 to 1995 for the Seattle Seahawks and the Miami Dolphins. He is also the elder brother of Mark McGwire.
- Colleen McGwire: Although not as famous as her brothers, Colleen McGwire is the sister of Mark and Dan McGwire. She became known mostly because of her family.
- Max McGwire: He is the son of Mark McGwire and gaining recognition as an aspiring baseball player. These are the most recognized individuals with the McGwire surname. It's worth noting that the family is mostly known for its contribution to American professional sports, specifically baseball and football.