Last Name Mcgurk

The surname McGurk is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mag Uirc, which translates to "son of Uirc." The name is derived from a personal name Urch or Uirc. The clan McGurk originated in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It's important to note that surnames were often adopted as a way of identification among the Irish people during the 12th and 13th centuries, following a system whereby the son of a chieftain would take his father's name as a prefix to their given name. The Anglicized form McGurk emerged when English settlers attempted to write Gaelic names phonetically.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcgurk

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcgurk

The surname McGurk is an anglicized form of Gaelic Irish name Mac gCuarc, which translates to "son of the herdsman" or "son of Cuarcc". The name originally belonged to a sept (clan) that traced their ancestry from Cuarcc, who was said to have been a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the high king of Ireland in the 5th century. Over time, due to migration and anglicization, the name evolved into various spellings including McGurk, MacGurk, McCurk, and others. The name is most prevalent in Northern Ireland and counties Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal in Ireland.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcgurk

The McGurk surname is primarily distributed across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with a significant concentration in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh, due to its Gaelic origins from the Irish McGurcha, meaning 'son of the small dark-haired one'. However, it has also been found in other parts of Ireland, particularly in County Donegal. In recent times, due to emigration, the McGurk surname can be found throughout the United Kingdom and in various regions of North America, such as Canada and the United States, especially in areas with strong Irish settlements like Boston, Massachusetts and Montreal, Quebec. While its frequency is significantly lower elsewhere, it has been recorded sporadically in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other parts of Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcgurk

The surname McGurk has several variations and spellings due to phonetic alterations over time and regional differences in spelling. Some common variations include: MacGurk, Magurk, Maguirk, McGirk, MacIrk, Magirk, Magierc, and McGuirk. Additionally, the name may also be found as McGoerk or McKerk, though these are less common. It is important to note that the spelling of names can vary significantly even among individuals from the same family due to historical factors such as migration, assimilation, and scribal errors in records. The name McGurk originates from Gaelic language and means "son of the bright or distinguished spear-wielder."

Famous people with the last name Mcgurk

The McGurk surname has been associated with notable figures across various fields, primarily in entertainment and science. One of the most recognized is Patrick J. McGurk, an American neurologist who made significant contributions to the field of auditory neuroscience. He was a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and is renowned for his work on brain plasticity and speech perception.

In the realm of entertainment, the name McGurk is connected with the Irish-American actress Fiona Shaw. She rose to prominence in the 1980s and has since appeared in numerous films and television series, including the Harry Potter franchise as Aunt Petunia Dursley. Her performances have earned her multiple award nominations.

Another notable figure is David McGurk, a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played center for the New York Rangers. Known for his speed and tenacity on the ice, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. These examples illustrate the diverse achievements and impact of individuals bearing the McGurk surname across different spheres.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcgurk

The McGurk surname, originating from Ireland, is primarily found in counties Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland, as well as in Donegal and Derry in the Republic of Ireland. It is believed to be of Gaelic origin, derived from the name "Mac Uirc," meaning "son of Urchin" or "Urk's son." Over time, various Anglicized spellings have emerged, such as McKirk, McGork, and McGuirk, among others.

Emigrating primarily to Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, and Australia in the 19th century during the Great Irish Famine, the McGurk family dispersed widely across these countries. In the U.S., they were predominantly found in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Some notable individuals with the surname include Canadian lawyer Patrick McGurk, Australian politician John McGurk, and American musician John McGurk.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mcgurk"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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