Surname McIvor - Meaning and Origin
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McIvor: What does the surname McIvor mean?
The last name McIvor is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "MacÌomhair", meaning "son of Ìomhar". The personal name "Ìomhar" is equivalent to the Old Norse personal name "Ívarr", which itself is derived from the old Norse elements "ýr", meaning "yew", "bow", and "arr", meaning "warrior". Hence, the name McIvor could have the connotation of a "bow warrior". This particular surname was first found in Dumbartonshire, a region in Scotland, and was historically associated with clans and septs within the Scottish Highlands. Like many surnames, over time variations in spelling occurred due to regional linguistic differences, making it common to see variations such as McIver, MacIver, and more. It is prevalent in areas of Scotland, Ireland and other places with Scottish and Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisMcIvor: Where does the name McIvor come from?
The surname McIvor is of Scottish origin, stemming from the ancient Highland Scottish clan MacIver. Clan MacIver was part of the Clan Campbell confederation. The first known use of the McIvor name was in Argyll, where they had been anciently seated from early times. The name McIvor suggests a son or devotee of St. Ivor. The "Mac" prefix is Gaelic for “son of.”
Today, the surname McIvor is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly in counties Antrim and Tyrone, and in Scotland. There are also a significant number of people with the McIvor last name in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Despite the dispersal of the Scottish clans and families across the globe, surnames such as McIvor still bear witness to their Highland origins and the rich history of Scotland. This last name is still quite uncommon, featuring more prevalently among those of Scottish descent. It continues to be recognized as reminiscent of a heritage steeped in tradition.
Variations of the surname McIvor
The surname McIvor is of Scottish origin and suggests "Son of Ivar." It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Ívarr, which means ‘bow warrior’. The surname also has Irish roots where it is derived from "Mac Íomhair," meaning "son of Íomhar."
Variants and alternate spellings of the surname McIvor may include MacIvor, McEvor, McIver, MacIver, McEivor, MacEivor, Mcivors, McIvors, MacIvors, and MacEivors.
The surname McIvor is also often anglicized from the Gaelic "MacIomhair" to Ivor, Ivers, or Iver. The "Mac" or "Mc" prefix means "son of," so somebody named "MacIomhair" would have been the "son of Iomhair."
Please note that the exact spelling of surnames has often changed over centuries due to various reasons such as regional accents and literacy levels. Therefore, historical documents may contain even more variations of this surname. For genealogical research, it's advisable to consider all possible spellings.
In Ireland, where surnames were often 'anglicized', McIvor can also be a variant of the surnames McKeever or MacKeever.
Famous people with the name McIvor
- Edward McIvor: veteran researcher in prehistoric archaeology, author and lecturer.
- Mervyn McIvor: former Australian Rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club.
- Angus McIvor: Scottish footballer.
- Mary McIvor: Irish television personality and former broadcaster.
- Tony McIvor: English-born Australian rules footballer who played for Port Adelaide and the Collingwood Football Club.
- Sir Arthur McIvor: British politician, diplomat and colonial administrator.
- Jeff McIvor: Canadian film and television actor.
- Sean McIvor: Canadian actor, producer and voice artist.
- Bernie McIvor: American musician, songwriter and producer.
- Jim McIvor: African-American Professor of History and African-American Studies at the University of California, San Diego.