| ![Show Contents]() Maghir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland While many Irish names are familiar, their past incarnations are often shrouded in mystery, reflecting the ancient Gaelic heritage of their bearers. The original Gaelic form of the name Maghir is Ó Meachair, derived from the word "michair," which means "hospitable" or "kindly." 1 Early Origins of the Maghir familyThe surname Maghir was first found in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they traditionally belong to the barony of Ikerrin. The family has retained this area as their homestead as over 50% of them come from here. 2 "The O'Meaghers were formerly powerful Chiefs possessing the Barony of Ikerrin, in County Tipperary, of which O'Meagher was Lord. The Meaghers or Mahers are principally found in County Tipperary at present." 3 Early History of the Maghir familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maghir research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1551, 1635 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Maghir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Maghir Spelling VariationsLacking standardized spellings, scribes and church officials recorded people's name according to how they sounded. This practice often led to the misleading result of one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Maghir are preserved in the archival documents of the period. The various spellings of the name that were found include Maher, O'Meagher, Meagher, O'Maher, Mahir and others. Early Notables of the Maghir familyMore information is included under the topic Early Maghir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Maghir familyMany Irish families boarded ships bound for North America in the middle of 19th century to escape the conditions of poverty and racial discrimination at that time. Although these immigrants often arrived in a destitute state, they went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. An inquiry into many immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants to North America bearing the Maghir family name: Daniel, Edward, James, John, Martin, Michael, Patrick, Robert, Timothy, William Maher, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Charles, Edward, James, John, Mathew, Patrick, Thomas, Timothy and William Meagher, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..
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: In periculis audax
Motto Translation: Bold in danger
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
- Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
 |
