Show ContentsManhire History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Manhire Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Manhire

What does the name Manhire mean?

In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Manhire family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Manhire is derived from the personal name John. The Gaelic form of their name was originally Mac-Iain-uidhir, which means son of dun John. However, the Manhire family of Perth traditionally derive their name from M'an-oighre, which means son of the heir. Experts have also theorized that the surname Manhire may be derived from Mac-an-fhuibir, which means son of the smith, or Mac-an-huidhir, which means son of the stranger.

Early Origins of the Manhire family

The surname Manhire was first found in Perth, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Further to the south in England, the Menaire, Menear, Manhire and other variants claim descent from Walter Maenhir who was listed in Devon in 1293. The very rare variant Manhire traces back to Ellis Menheire who was listed in Devon in 1642. 1

Early History of the Manhire family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manhire research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1392, 1526, 1546, 1776 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Manhire History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manhire Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Manhire has been spelled MacNair, MacNaire, MacNayer, MacNeir, MacNuir, Menair and many more.

Early Notables of the Manhire family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Manhire Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Manhire family to Ireland

Some of the Manhire family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manhire migration to the United States+

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Manhire:

Manhire Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Harry Manhire, (b. 1870), aged 19, Cornish miner departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving in the United States on 3 June 1889 2
  • Mr. Archibald Manhire, (b. 1870), aged 23, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1893 en route to Michigan, USA 3
  • Mr. R. Manhire, (b. 1873), aged 20, Cornish labourer, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th March 1893 en route to Michigan, USA 3
Manhire Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Hilda May Manhire, (b. 1901), aged 2, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th August 1903 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 3
  • Mrs. Adaline Manhire, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th August 1903 en route to Ishpeming, USA 3

Manhire migration to New Zealand+

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Manhire Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Manhire, aged 25, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 4
  • Cecilia Manhire, aged 25, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 4
  • Mrs. Cecilia Manhire, (b. 1838), aged 25, Cornish settler departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 5
  • Mr. Daniel Manhire, (b. 1838), aged 25, Cornish farm labourer departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 5
  • Miss Araminta Manhire, (b. 1860), aged 3, Cornish settler departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863, she died on 18th July 1863 before arriving 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Manhire (post 1700)+

  • William "Bill" Manhire CNZM (b. 1946), award-winning New Zealand poet, short story writer, and professor
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf

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