Surname McEntire - Meaning and Origin
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McEntire: What does the surname McEntire mean?
The surname McEntire is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac an t-Saoir" which translates to "son of the craftsman or carpenter". It belongs to a category of surnames known as patronymic names, which are based on the first name of a male ancestor. Over time, it has been anglicized to various forms including MacIntyre, McIntyre, Macintire, McEntire, and others. The clans associated with this surname traditionally hail from the western Scottish Highlands, particularly in areas such as Appin and Glenoe. This surname, like many others of Scottish origin, carries a rich history and is connected to various clans and tartans. Notably, individuals with this surname have made significant contributions in various fields, such as music (Reba McEntire), acting, and academia.
Order DNA origin analysisMcEntire: Where does the name McEntire come from?
The surname McEntire is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac an t-Saoir, which translates to "son of the carpenter." The name formed during the Middle Ages in Scotland and was later brought to Ireland by Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Uliver. The McEntire family held a family seat in Argyll where they were seated from early times. In Ireland, the McEntires mainly settled in the region of Ulster.
Today, the surname McEntire is common in several English-speaking countries, but especially in the United States. According to census data, the largest number of McEntire families were found in the USA in 1880. This was about 76% of all recorded McEntire's residing in the USA. North Carolina had the highest population of McEntire families.
Additionally, Scotland and Northern Ireland also have a significant number of McEntires. However, it is in the United States where the McEntire name has gained significant recognition, largely because of the success of country music star Reba McEntire.
Variations of the surname McEntire
The surname McEntire has several variants and the spellings can depend on multiple factors including phonetics, geography, and personal preference. Known variants include McEntire, McIntire, McEntyre, and McIntyre.
This name has Irish and Scottish origins and the surname has also been Anglicized in different forms. In Scotland, it is derived from the Gaelic name Mac an t-Saoir meaning "son of the carpenter," while in Ireland, it's derived from the name Mac Entire.
Other less common versions include Mackintire, Mackentyre, Mackendry, M'Intyre, M'Entire, Mackindoe, M'Kintire and many others. In many cases, the “Mc” prefix (meaning son of) may also be interchanged with “Mac.”
Surname spelling, especially for Gaelic or Celtic names, was not standardized until very recently in history, so many of these variants came about due to phonetic translations into English. It's also common for different branches of the same family to use different spellings.
For example, country singer Reba McEntire spells her name with an "E", while actress Melinda McGraw's mother's maiden name is McIntyre with an "I". Both are acceptable spelling for the same family name.
Famous people with the name McEntire
- Reba McEntire: country music singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, and businesswoman
- Kix Brooks: country music singer, songwriter, and actor who was one half of the duo One Brooks & Dunn
- Ron McEntire: American football executive turned politician; he was the longest-serving mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Kelly McEntire: American rodeo champion, actor, and producer
- Scott McEntire: country musician and singer/songwriter
- Justin McEntire: American songwriter and producer who won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on the Disney series So Weird
- Doug McEntire: chairman and CEO of the Global Energy Corporation, and the McEntire Management Group
- Kasey McEntire: country music singer and songwriter, and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003
- Keith McEntire: American songwriter and musician best known for writing the song "Footloose"
- Stephanie McEntire: American television host, radio broadcaster, and journalist
- Pippa McEntire: American actress and soap opera star, best known for her roles on the soap operas Passions and Santa Barbara