Show ContentsMacIvor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The MacIvor 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 MacIvor family

The surname MacIvor 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 MacIvor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacIvor 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 MacIvor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacIvor Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the MacIvor family

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

Ireland Migration of the MacIvor family to Ireland

Some of the MacIvor 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 MacIvor migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacIvor Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John MacIvor, aged 60, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
  • Blanche MacIvor, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1909
  • John MacIvor, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1909
  • F. H. Macivor, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
  • Jean MacIvor, aged 26, who settled in America, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name MacIvor (post 1700) +

  • Ralph Waldo Emerson MacIvor (1852-1917), British agricultural chemist, lecturer and writer
  • John Smith MacIvor (1913-1957), Canadian lawyer and politician in Nova Scotia
  • Rod MacIvor (b. 1946), retired Canadian photojournalist from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
  • Daniel MacIvor (b. 1962), Canadian actor, playwright, theatre director, and film director from Sydney, Nova Scotia, recipient of the Governor General's Award for Drama in 2006


The MacIvor 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)


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