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![Show Contents]() MacGwier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
Many variations of the name MacGwier 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 MacGwier familyThe surname MacGwier 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 MacGwier familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGwier research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1683 and 1707 are included under the topic Early MacGwier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacGwier Spelling VariationsPronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname MacGwier are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Maguire, MacGuire, Guire, Guirey, Guiry and others. Early Notables of the MacGwier familyAnother 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGwier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacGwier familyA massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name MacGwier or a variant listed above: 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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