Maguire ( , also spelled MacGuire or McGuire) is an

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

surname from the Gaelic , which is "son of Odhar" meaning "dun", "dark one". According to legend, this relates to the eleventh descendant of Colla da Chrich, great-grandson of

Cormac mac Airt Cormac mac Airt, also known as Cormac ua Cuinn (grandson of Conn) or Cormac Ulfada (long beard), was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He is probably the most famous of the ancient High Kings ...

, who was monarch of Ireland about the middle of the third century. From the 13th to the 17th centuries, the Maguires were kings of Fermanagh. As a given name, Maguire is uncommon.

Naming conventions

The surname has been Anglicised variously as Maguire, McGuire and McGwire.

History

The Maguire

sept A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ...

is primarily associated with modern-day

County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of 1,691 km2 (653 sq mi) and has a population of 61,805 ...

. They possessed the entire county, also known as Maguire's Country, from about 1250 C.E. and maintained their independence as Lords of Fermanagh down to the reign of

King James VI & I James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until hi ...

, when their country was confiscated like other parts of Ulster. The Maguires supplied Chiefs or Princes to Fermanagh, from about A.D. 1264, when they supplanted the former Chieftains (

Ó Daimhín Ó Daimhín or Ní Dhaimhín is one of several surnames derived from the Irish Gaelic that are now rendered in English as Devine. The root of this name is "''damh''", which according to Dineen means an "ox or a Stag". It is also used figuratively ...

, or Devin/Devine). They were inaugurated as Princes of Fermanagh on the summit of

Cuilcagh Cuilcagh () is a mountain on the border between County Fermanagh (in Northern Ireland) and County Cavan (in the Republic of Ireland). With a height of it is the highest point in both counties. It is also the 170th highest peak on the island of ...

, a magnificent mountain near

Swanlinbar Swanlinbar () is a small village on the N87 national secondary road in north-west County Cavan, Ireland, close to the Cladagh river and near the Fermanagh border. The village is situated in the townlands of Furnaceland and Hawkswood, in the ci ...

, on the borders of Cavan and Fermanagh; and sometimes also at a place called Sciath Gabhra or Lisnasciath, now Lisnaskea. The family was first mentioned in the Annals as early as 956 AD and have always been closely associated with the other leading septs of

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kin ...

such as the O'Neill and the

O'Donnell The O'Donnell dynasty ( ga, Ó Dónaill or ''Ó Domhnaill,'' ''Ó Doṁnaill'' ''or Ua Domaill;'' meaning "descendant of Dónal") were the dominant Irish clan of the kingdom of Tyrconnell, Ulster, in medieval Ireland. Naming conventions Or ...

. They spawned several well-known branches which became septs in their own right, including Mac Manus, Mac Caffrey, Mac Hugh, and several others. The name is among the forty most common names in Ireland, among the top twenty-five in Ulster, ten in Co. Cavan, thirty in Co. Monaghan and is the single most common name in Co. Fermanagh. Maguiresbridge in Co. Fermanagh (

: ''Droichead Mhig Uidhir'') takes its name from the family. In the Nine Years' War (1594–1603), Hugh Maguire, the Lord of Fermanagh, took the rebels' side, while his subordinate kinsman Connor Roe Maguire of

Magherastephana Magherastephana is a barony in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. To its south-west lies Upper Lough Erne, and it is bordered by five other baronies: Tirkennedy to the west; Knockninny to the south-west; and Coole to the south; Clankelly to ...

sought to displace him and was nicknamed "the Queen's Maguire" for his support of Queen Elizabeth's forces. Connor was granted the whole of Maguire's Country (Fermanagh) by letters patent in 1601, but this was disregarded by the Plantation of Ulster in 1609, which granted him only twelve thousand acres of the barony of Magherastephana. Connor's son Bryan was made Baron Maguire of

Enniskillen Enniskillen ( , from ga, Inis Ceithleann , ' Ceithlenn's island') is the largest town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is in the middle of the county, between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,823 a ...

in 1627; Bryan's son Connor, 2nd Baron supported the

Confederate Ireland Confederate Ireland, also referred to as the Irish Catholic Confederation, was a period of Irish Catholic self-government between 1642 and 1649, during the Eleven Years' War. Formed by Catholic aristocrats, landed gentry, clergy and military ...

rebellion of the 1640s and was executed and attainted in 1645. During translation in the

Ulster Plantation The Plantation of Ulster ( gle, Plandáil Uladh; Ulster-Scots: ''Plantin o Ulstèr'') was the organised colonisation (''plantation'') of Ulstera province of Irelandby people from Great Britain during the reign of King James I. Most of the set ...

, various English translations of the original Mag Uidhir appeared, including Mc Guire, Maguire, Mac Guire and McGuire. In South West Donegal, the name is re-translated into Gaelic as Mac Guibhir. An unusual version is Meguiar, an American spelling best known from " Meguiar's Wax." Enniskillen Castle was the medieval seat of the McGuire (Maguidhir), chieftains of Fermanagh, who policed the lough with a private navy of 1,500 boats. Nearby is Maguiresbridge. At the castle, the King got wind of a large army that had been sent to attack. Fearing the loss of all his clan, he sent half of his people to the northwest of Scotland, who adopted the surname of MacQuarrie. The Maguire clan motto is "Justitia et Fortitudo Invincibilia Sunt", which is Latin for "Justice and Fortitude Are Invincible".

People

Maguire

Andrew Maguire Gene Andrew Maguire (born March 11, 1939) is an American politician who served three terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing New Jersey's 7th congressional district (western Bergen County) from 19 ...

(born 1939), American politician and former member of U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey * Baron Maguire, Two Barons Maguire of Enniskillen in the Peerage of Ireland * Bassett Maguire (1904–1991), American botanist * Bernard A. Maguire (1818–1886), American Jesuit and president of Georgetown University * Father Bob Maguire (born c. 1935), Australian priest and community worker; awarded the Order of Australia 1989 * Cathy Maguire, Irish singer-songwriter, TV personality from Dundalk, Co Louth. * Charles A. Maguire (1876–1949), Canadian politician; mayor of Toronto 1922–1923 * Chris Maguire (born 1989), Scottish footballer * Clare Maguire (born 1988), British singer-songwriter *

Connor Maguire, 2nd Baron of Enniskillen Connor (or Cornelius) Maguire, 2nd Baron of Enniskillen (Irish ''Conchobhar Mag Uidhir''; 1616 – 1645) was an Irish nobleman from Ulster who took part in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. He was executed for high treason. Background He was born in ...

, Irish rebel of 1641 * Darragh Maguire (born 1976), Irish footballer * Donna Maguire (born 1967), Provisional IRA member * Eleanor Maguire, Irish neuropsychologist * Emily Maguire (disambiguation), multiple people * Frank Maguire (1929–1981), Northern Ireland politician and MP * Gavin Maguire (born 1967), Welsh footballer * George Maguire (born 1990), Olivier Award-winning English actor * George Maguire (1796–1882), Irish-American mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, USA * Gerard Maguire (born 1945), Australian actor *

Gregory Maguire Gregory Maguire (born June 9, 1954) is an American novelist. He is the author of '' Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West'', '' Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister'', and several dozen other novels for adults and children. Many ...

(born 1954), American author * Harold Maguire (1912–2001), Director-General of Intelligence at the British Ministry of Defence * Harry Maguire (born 1993), English footballer - Manchester United FC * Harry Maguire (sailor), (born 1928), Irish Olympian *

Hugh Maguire (Lord of Fermanagh) Aodh Mag Uidhir, anglicised as Hugh Maguire (died 1600) was Chief of the Name of the Irish clan Maguire and Lord of Fermanagh during the reign of Elizabeth I. He died in battle resisting the Tudor conquest of Ireland as part of the Nine Y ...

(died 1600), Lord of Fermanagh in Ireland during the reign of Elizabeth * Hugh Maguire (violinist) (1927–2013), Irish violinist * Jack Maguire (baseball) (1925–2001), American baseball player * James G. Maguire (1853–1920), American politician; U.S. representative from California * Jeff Maguire (born 1952), American film screenwriter *

John A. Maguire John Arthur Maguire (November 29, 1870 – July 1, 1939) was an American Democratic Party politician. He was born near Elizabeth, Illinois on November 29, 1870, and moved to the Dakota Territory in 1882 with his parents settling near what is ...

(1870–1939), American politician from Nebraska *

John Aloysius Maguire John Aloysius Maguire (1851–1920) was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Archbishop of Glasgow from 1902 to 1920. Biography Early life and education Born in Glasgow on 8 September 1851, he was educated successively at St Mungo's Acade ...

(1851–1920), Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland * John Norman Maguire (born 1956), Australian cricketer * John Maguire (disambiguation), multiple people *

Jon Maguire Jon "Mags" Maguire is a Welsh songwriter and record producer. He has appeared on over twenty UK top 40 records, including four number one albums. He is best known for writing " You Are The Reason" with Calum Scott which has sold over 15 million c ...

, songwriter and producer * Joseph Maguire (contemporary), U.S. Navy rear admiral, Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command *

Joseph Francis Maguire Joseph Francis Maguire (September 4, 1919 – November 23, 2014) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts from 1977 to 1991. He previously serve as an auxili ...

(1919–2014), American Catholic bishop * Josh Maguire (born 1980), Australian soccer player * Kathleen Maguire (1925–1989), American actress * Kathleen McGuire (born 1965), Australian-American musician (conductor, composer, educator) * Kevin Maguire (born 1960), American comic book artist * Kristin Maguire, American politician and former chairman of the South Carolina State Board of Education *

Larry Maguire Larry Maguire (born June 1, 1949) is a politician and activist farmer in Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Progressive Conservative MLA in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, he was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in a by-election on No ...

(born 1949), Canadian politician and activist farmer in Manitoba; representative in the Manitoba legislature *

Leona Maguire Leona Maguire (born 30 November 1994) is an Irish professional golfer. She was ranked 1st in the world on the women's World Amateur Golf Ranking from May 2015 until May 2016 and then from August 2016 until February 2018. Maguire's 135 weeks a ...

(born 1994), Irish golfer, twin of Lisa * Lisa Maguire (born 1994), Irish golfer, twin of Leona * Máiread Corrigan-Maguire (born 1944), Northern Irish peace activist * Marian Maguire (born 1962), New Zealand lithographer * Martie Maguire (born 1969), American country music songwriter and singer; founding member of the Dixie Chicks *

Mary Maguire Mary Maguire (born Hélène Teresa Maguire; 22 February 1919 – 18 May 1974) was an Australian-born actress who briefly became a Hollywood and British film star in the late 1930s. Early life Maguire was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Mich ...

(1919–1974), born Hélène Teresa Maguire, Australian actress * Matt Maguire (born 1984), Australian rules footballer * Michael Maguire (disambiguation), multiple people *

Paul Maguire Paul Leo Maguire (born August 22, 1938) is a former American professional football player and television sportscaster. Early sports career Maguire attended Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio where he was an All State wide receiver and ...

(born 1938), American football player and sportscaster * Peter J. McGuire (1852–1906), American labor leader * Robert Maguire (1921–2005), American illustrator *

Sam Maguire Samuel Maguire (11 March 1877 – 6 February 1927) was an Irish republican and Gaelic football player. He is chiefly remembered as the eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup, given to the All-Ireland Senior Champions of Gaelic football each year. Ear ...

(1879–1927), Irish republican and Gaelic footballer; eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup * Sarah Maguire (1957–2017), British poet *

Sharon Maguire Sharon Maguire (born 17 August 1963) is a film director best known for directing '' Bridget Jones's Diary''. The film was based on the book by her close friend Helen Fielding, and one of the main characters – "Shazza" – is allegedly based o ...

(born 1960), British film maker *

Stephen Maguire Stephen Maguire (born 13 March 1981) is a Scottish professional snooker player. He has won six major ranking tournaments, including the 2004 UK Championship, and has twice since reached the finals of that event. Maguire turned professional in ...

(born 1981), Scottish professional snooker player *

Steve Maguire Steve Maguire is a software engineer and author. He wrote two books on software development, ''Writing Solid Code'' and ''Debugging the Development Process''. Maguire earned a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University ...

(contemporary), American software engineer and author *

Thomas Herbert Maguire Thomas Herbert Maguire (1821 – 1895) was an English artist and engraver, noted for his portraits of prominent figures. Maguire was a brilliant pupil of master lithographer and line-engraver, Richard James Lane (1800-1872), one of the favourite co ...

(1821–1895) was an English artist and engraver *

Tobey Maguire Tobias Vincent Maguire (born June 27, 1975) is an American actor and film producer. He is best known for playing the title character from Sam Raimi's ''Spider-Man'' trilogy (2002–2007), a role he later reprised in '' Spider-Man: No Way Hom ...

(born 1975), American actor; best known for ''Spider-Man'' *

Tom Maguire Tom Maguire (28 March 1892 – 5 July 1993) was an Irish republican who held the rank of commandant-general in the Western Command of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and led the South Mayo flying column. Early life Tom Maguire was born 28 Ma ...

(1892–1993), Irish Republican Army commandant-general

McGuire

Al McGuire Alfred James McGuire (September 7, 1928 – January 26, 2001) was an American college basketball coach and broadcaster, the head coach at Marquette University from 1964 to 1977. He won a national championship in his final season at Marquette, a ...

(1928–2001), American college basketball coach & ''Basketball Hall of Fame'' inductee *

Anne McGuire Dame Anne Catherine McGuire (' Long; born 26 May 1949) is a Scottish Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Stirling from 1997 to 2015. She was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 2002 ...

(born 1949), Scottish politician; MP for Stirling * Annie McGuire, Scottish broadcaster and talk-show presenter *

Barry McGuire Barry McGuire (born October 15, 1935) is an American singer-songwriter primarily known for his 1965 hit " Eve of Destruction". Later he would pioneer as a singer and songwriter of Contemporary Christian music. Early life McGuire was born in O ...

(born 1935), American singer and songwriter *

(born 1964), Louisiana author, painter and songwriter "Tales from Houma" * Bill McGuire (volcanologist), English professor of volcanology * Billy and Benny McCrary, Guinness World Record holders for "World's Heaviest Twins" * Brian McGuire (1945–1977), Australian race-car driver * Bruce McGuire (born 1962), Australian rugby league player * Casey McGuire (born 1980), Australian rugby league player * Cindy May McGuire (born 1996), Indonesian beauty pageant titleholder, Puteri Indonesia DKI Jakarta 5 and Puteri Indonesia 2022 contestant * Danny McGuire (born 1982), English rugby league player *

Deacon McGuire James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire (November 18, 1863 – October 31, 1936) was an American professional baseball player, manager and coach whose career spanned the years 1883 to 1915. He played 26 seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a ca ...

(1863–1936), American professional baseball player, manager, and coach *

Deck McGuire William Deck McGuire (born June 23, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year in 2009. He pl ...

(born 1989), American professional baseball player * Dennis McGuire (disambiguation), multiple people * Dick McGuire (1926–2010), American professional basketball player and coach * Dominic McGuire, American professional basketball player *

Dorothy McGuire Dorothy Hackett McGuire (June 14, 1916 – September 13, 2001) was an American actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for '' Gentleman's Agreement'' (1947) and won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actre ...

(1916–2001), American actress *

Eddie McGuire Edward Joseph McGuire AM (born 29 October 1964) is an Australian television presenter, journalist and Australian Football League commentator. He is also an occasional '' Herald Sun'' newspaper columnist. He hosts Channel Nine’s Millionai ...

(born 1964), Australian television journalist, sportscaster, and game show host * Edith McGuire (born 1944), American Olympic athlete in sprinting events in the 1964 Olympics *

Edward McGuire (composer) Edward ("Eddie") McGuire (born 1948) is a Scottish composer whose work ranges from compositions for solo instruments and voice to large-scale orchestral and operatic works. McGuire studied composition with James Iliff at the Royal Academy of Musi ...

(born 1948), Scottish composer * Elijah McGuire (born 1994), American football player *

Frank McGuire Frank Joseph McGuire (November 8, 1913 – October 11, 1994) was an American basketball coach. At the collegiate level, he was head coach for three major programs: St. John's, North Carolina, and South Carolina, winning over a hundred games at e ...

(1916–1994), American college basketball coach * Fred Henry McGuire, American Medal of Honor recipient * Gary McGuire (born 1938), English footballer * Hunter McGuire (1835–1900), American physician, teacher, and orator * Kathryn McGuire (1903–1978), American silent film actress and dancer *

Kristen McGuire Kristen McGuire is an American voice actress and script writer affiliated with Funimation and Bang Zoom! Entertainment. She started as a comic book artist, before later joining Funimation as a voice actress. Some of her noteworthy roles include ...

, American voice actress *

James McGuire (VC) James McGuire VC (1827 – 22 December 1862) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. The V.C. was later forfeited. Details ...

(1827–1862), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross * James Kennedy McGuire (1868–1923), American politician; mayor of Syracuse, New York * Jim McGuire (baseball coach), American college baseball coach *

Joe McGuire Joseph Blair McGuire, (born June 20, 1944) is a Canadian retired politician. A native of in Morell, Prince Edward Island, he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Egmont from 1988 to 2008. A member of the Liberal Party of ...

(born 1944), Canadian politician; MP from Prince Edward Island * John McGuire (disambiguation), multiple people * Josh McGuire (born 1990), Australian Rugby League player * Maeve McGuire (born 1937), American soap opera actress *Matt McGuire (born 1993), Australian drummer, member of The Chainsmokers * Melanie McGuire (born 1972), American criminal who murdered her husband, dismembered his body and put it into suitcases * The McGuire Sisters (Christine, Dorothy, Phyllis), American singers (biological sisters) * Michael McGuire (disambiguation), multiple people * Molly McGuire, Canadian-American singer and songwriter * Nathan McGuire (born 2003), Irish cricketer * Patrick McGuire (disambiguation), multiple people * Patti McGuire (born 1951), American model; ''Playboy'' Playmate of the Year 1977 * Paul McGuire (disambiguation), multiple people * Peter J. McGuire (1852–1906), American labor leader; important figure in the AFL * Phil McGuire (field hockey) (born 1970), British former field hockey player * Phil McGuire (footballer) (born 1980), Scottish footballer *

Pierre McGuire Regis Pierre McGuire (born August 8, 1961) is an American-Canadian ice hockey executive who last served as senior vice-president of player development for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously worked as a televis ...

(born 1961), American ice hockey analyst and sports commentator * Reba Rambo-McGuire, Christian singer and songwriter * Reese McGuire, American baseball player * Roger A. McGuire (1943–2005), American ambassador *

Thomas McGuire Thomas Buchanan McGuire Jr. (August 1, 1920 – January 7, 1945) was an American United States Army major who was killed in action while serving as a member of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and posthumously awarded the ...

(1920–1945), American WWII flying ace; eponym of McGuire AFB * Victor McGuire, English actor * William Anthony McGuire, American screenwriter and dramatist * William W. McGuire, American physician; former CEO of UnitedHealth Group Fictional people * Bren McGuire, player character from the ''

Turrican ''Turrican'' is a 1990 video game developed by Manfred Trenz. It was developed for the Commodore 64 by Rainbow Arts, and was ported to other systems later. In addition to concept design and character creation, Trenz programmed ''Turrican'' on th ...

'' video game series *

Father Dougal McGuire Father Dougal McGuire is a character in the Channel 4 sitcom ''Father Ted''. Created by Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan, Dougal was portrayed by comedian Ardal O'Hanlon for the programme's three series. The character is a childlike, simple-mi ...

, character in the television series ''Father Ted'' * Edward McGuire (economist), persona of comedian

Charles Firth (comedian) Charles Henry Danger Burgmann Firth is an Australian comedian, best known as a member of The Chaser productions '' CNNNN'' and '' The Chaser's War on Everything''. Biography Early years He is the brother of Verity Firth, who was a Minist ...

of Australia * Frankie McGuire, character from '' The Devil's Own'' *Jerry Maguire, titular character from the 1996 film of the same name *

Lizzie McGuire ''Lizzie McGuire'' is an American comedy television series created by Terri Minsky that premiered on Disney Channel on January 12, 2001. The series stars Hilary Duff as the titular character, who navigates the personal and social issues of her t ...

, title character of the TV series * Dr. Jack McGuire, character in the television series ''Doogie Howser'' * Rachel McGuire, character from ''

Boy Meets World ''Boy Meets World'' is an American coming-of-age sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly that aired on ABC for seven seasons between September1993 and May2000. The series centers on Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his friends and fami ...

'' * Sean MacGuire, character from the video game ''

Red Dead Redemption 2 ''Red Dead Redemption 2'' is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game is the third entry in the ''Red Dead'' series and a prequel to the 2010 game ''Red Dead Redemption''. The story is set in 1899 and f ...

McGwire

* Two American sportspeople, fellow-siblings: **

Mark McGwire Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963), nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2001 for the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Card ...

(born 1963), baseball player ** Dan McGwire (born 1967), football player

Kings of Fermanagh

References

Bibliography

External links

Official website of Clan Maguire
at Clan Maguire
Mag-Uidhir
at

Family Tree DNA FamilyTreeDNA is a division of Gene by Gene, a commercial genetic testing company based in Houston, Texas. FamilyTreeDNA offers analysis of autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA to individuals for genealogical purpose. With a database of ...

Maguires of Fermanagh
at Library Ireland
Maguire family pedigree
at Library Ireland

by Jim Maguire

by Sean Murphy
The Maguires of Fermanagh
{{Uí Néill Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames English-language surnames County Fermanagh History of County Fermanagh Ancient Irish dynasties Irish families