Show ContentsMcIvor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The McIvor surname is thought to have derived from an Old Norse personal name Ivarr of uncertain origin. It became a given name in Ireland, Scotland and Wales before becoming a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the McIvor family

The surname McIvor was first found in Dumbartonshire. The first on record was "Douenaldus filius Makbeth mac Ywar was one of the perambulators of the boundary between the lands of Arnbroath Abbey and the barony of Kynblathmund, 1219." 1

Early History of the McIvor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIvor research. Another 296 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1479, 1488, 1499, 1541, 1562, 1563, 1621, 1622, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1659, 1890 and 1931 are included under the topic Early McIvor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McIvor Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacIver, MacIvor, MacCure, MacEure, MacUre and many more.

Early Notables of the McIvor family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McIvor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the McIvor family to Ireland

Some of the McIvor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McIvor migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McIvor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ellen McIvor, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1896
McIvor Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Donald McIvor, aged 1, who settled in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
  • Daniel McIvor, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1908
  • Helen McIvor, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Dunbeath, Scotland, in 1910
  • Isbella McIvor, aged 22, who landed in America from Chaplehall, Scotland, in 1911
  • Alexander McIvor, aged 47, who landed in America from Chaplehall, Scotland, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada McIvor migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McIvor Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Catherine McIvor, aged 5 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 2

Australia McIvor migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McIvor Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Kenneth McIvor, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "D'Auvergne" in 1839 3
  • John McIvor, aged 38, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Shackamaxon" 4

New Zealand McIvor migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McIvor Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Francis McIVOR, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mr. McIvor, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bank of England" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th October 1850 5
  • Mrs. McIvor, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bank of England" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th October 1850 5
  • Child McIvor, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bank of England" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th October 1850 5
  • Mr. F. McIvor, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1858 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McIvor (post 1700) +

  • Rick E. McIvor (b. 1960), former American NFL football player for the St. Louis Cardinals (1984-1985)
  • Edward Otto McIvor (1884-1954), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the 1911 St. Louis Cardinals
  • Ronald William "Ron" McIvor (b. 1951), Scottish former footballer
  • Wilbert McIvor (1915-1987), Canadian farmer and politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1967 to 1971
  • Ivor Thomas McIvor (1917-1997), Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon
  • William Basil McIvor OBE PC (1928-2004), Ulster Unionist politician and barrister
  • Scott McIvor (b. 1966), former Australian rules footballer who played mainly with the Brisbane Bears
  • Hector James McIvor OBE (1900-1992), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Gellibrand (1955-1972)
  • Duncan McIvor (b. 1884), Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood (1909-1914)
  • Daniel Erskine McIvor CM (1911-2005), Canadian aviation pioneer, known for his work with the Martin Mars water bombers, eponym of McIvor Lake, Vancouver Island
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Allan Mcivor, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 8


The McIvor Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Numquam obliviscar
Motto Translation: I will never forget.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 45)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) D'AUVERGNE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839D'Auvergne.htm
  4. South Australian Register Thursday 20 January 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SHACKAMAXON 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/shackamaxon1853.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  7. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  8. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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