MacGirr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacGirr

What does the name MacGirr mean?

Scotland's western coastal mountains and the desolate Hebrides spawned the line of the MacGirr family. The name MacGirr was originally a nickname for a short person. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac an gheairr, which means son of the short or low-sized man.

Early Origins of the MacGirr family

The surname MacGirr was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and were believed to be descended from one of the many (350) chiefs who accompanied the banished King Colla da Crioch, who left Ireland for the Hebrides and south west Scotland in the year 327. This ancient Irish clann were originally from County Armagh in Ireland.

Early History of the MacGirr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGirr research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1658, 1684 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacGirr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacGirr Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. MacGirr has been spelled McGirr, McGeer, McGear, MacGirr, MacGeer, McGhirr and many more.

Early Notables of the MacGirr family

More information is included under the topic Early MacGirr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacGirr family to Ireland

Some of the MacGirr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacGirr family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name MacGirr were among those contributors: Felix McGirr who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1827; Bernard in 1858; Owen in 1849; Patrick in 1830; Robert in 1853; all in Philadelphia; Jane McGear settled in Delaware in 1772..