Last Name Mcquire

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcquire

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcquire

The surname McQuire is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "MacUidhir," meaning "son of Odhar." The name Odhar itself means "dun" or "sallow-colored," suggesting that the original bearer of the surname may have had a fair or tanned complexion. The McQuire clan can be traced back to County Fermanagh in Ireland and has strong ties to the ancient kingdom of Ulster. The name has variations such as MacQuire, McGuire, and Maguire, which are common across Scotland and Ireland. Over time, the McQuire surname has spread to other parts of the world, particularly to countries with strong Scottish and Irish immigrant populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, individuals with the surname McQuire can be found worldwide, representing their Scottish and Irish heritage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcquire

The last name McGuire is most commonly found in Ireland and the United States. In Ireland, it is predominantly located in the northern counties such as Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry, where it originated as an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Mag Uidhir." The name is also prevalent in the United States, particularly in states with large Irish populations such as Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. It is believed that many individuals with the surname McGuire emigrated from Ireland during the mid-19th century due to the Irish Potato Famine, contributing to its widespread presence in the US. Today, the name can also be found in smaller numbers in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the global dispersal of the McGuire family over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcquire

The last name Mcquire can also be spelled as Macquire, Maguire, Macguire, McGuire, M'Guire, and MacGeever. These variations and spellings may have originated from different regions or dialects where the name was used. The surname Mcquire is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "MagUidhir". It is believed to have been derived from the word "uidhir" which means ‘to be the dun man’ or ‘sallow man’. The name was traditionally associated with the aristocratic families of Fermanagh and Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Over time, as people migrated and the name was passed down through generations, different spellings and variations of Mcquire emerged. Today, the name Mcquire and its variations can be found worldwide among people of Irish descent.

Famous people with the last name Mcquire

One famous person with the last name McGuire is Jerry McGuire, a fictional character played by Tom Cruise in the 1996 film "Jerry McGuire." The character is a sports agent who has a crisis of conscience and decides to start his own agency with only one client, a talented but troubled football player. Another notable individual with the last name McGuire is Mark McGuire, a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics. McGuire was known for his incredible power hitting, setting the single-season home run record in 1998 with 70 home runs. Overall, the McGuire surname has been associated with both iconic fictional characters and successful professional athletes.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcquire

The surname Mcquire is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Uidhir", meaning "son of Odhar". The surname has been primarily found in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, with strong ties to the ancient ruling Maguire clan, who were the chiefs of Fermanagh for centuries. The Mcquire name spread to other parts of Ireland and the world through immigration and migration, particularly during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. Many Mcquire families can now be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Genealogical research on the Mcquire surname often uncovers a rich history of Irish heritage and traditions, as well as connections to the Maguire clan and their historical significance in Ireland.