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![Show Contents]() MacGuirt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
Many variations of the name MacGuirt have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Mag Uidhir, which is derived from the word "odhar," meaning "dun-colored;" in the genitive case, the word is "uidhir." Early Origins of the MacGuirt familyThe surname MacGuirt was first found in County Fermanagh (Irish: Fear Manach) in the southwestern part of Northern Ireland, Province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the MacGuirt familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGuirt research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1683 and 1707 are included under the topic Early MacGuirt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacGuirt Spelling VariationsIrish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name MacGuirt dating from that time include Maguire, MacGuire, Guire, Guirey, Guiry and others. Early Notables of the MacGuirt familyAnother 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGuirt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacGuirt familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the MacGuirt family relocated to North American shores quite early: Dennis McGuire, who settled in New England in 1772; Arthur, Bernard, Catherine, Daniel, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Peter, Robert, Thomas, and William McGuire, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
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