Mcguire
A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mag Uidhir," meaning "son of the pale-colored one."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 74,755 Americans carry the last name Mcguire. That puts it at #521 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 21.81 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 4,585 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mcguire surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
75K
1 in 4,585
Census rank
#521
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
21.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
64K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 64,327 bearers of the surname Mcguire in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 21.81 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 521st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcguire, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.3%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mcguire
The surname McGuire is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic surname "Mag Uidhir" or "Mac Uidhir," meaning "son of Odhar" or "son of the dun-colored one." This name first appeared in County Fermanagh, Ulster, in the northern part of Ireland, as early as the 10th century.
In Irish tradition, the name McGuire was associated with the Clan Uidhir, a prominent Ulster family who held lands and territories in Fermanagh. The McGuires were renowned for their military prowess and played a significant role in the many conflicts that took place in Ulster during the medieval and early modern periods.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name McGuire can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1256, the Annals mention "Aedh Mac Uidhir," which is believed to be one of the first documented instances of the surname.
Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spellings, including MacGuire, Maguire, and McGuyre, reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings in earlier times. Additionally, the name is sometimes associated with places like Enniskillen and Fermanagh, where the Clan Uidhir held significant influence.
Notable individuals with the surname McGuire include:
1. Thomas McGuire (1892-1923), an American World War I fighter pilot and one of the highest-scoring American aces of the war.
2. Butterfly McQueen (1911-1995), an American actress best known for her role as Prissy in the film "Gone with the Wind."
3. Paul McGuire (1904-1993), an American actor and singer who appeared in numerous films and television shows.
4. Dominick McGuire (1835-1923), an Irish-American prelate who served as the Bishop of Glasgow from 1892 to 1923.
5. Philip McGuire (1890-1952), an American actor known for his roles in films like "The Wizard of Oz" and "It Happened One Night."
The surname McGuire has a rich history rooted in the ancient Irish clans and has maintained its presence throughout the centuries, spanning various regions and fields of influence.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mcguire
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcguire, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.3%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Mcguire bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mcguire surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.0%
- Black or African American6.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mcguire surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #482 | #521 | -8.1% |
| Count | 62,116 | 64,327 | 3.6% |
| Per 100K | 23.03 | 21.81 | -5.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mcguire bearers went from 62,116 to 64,327 (+3.6% change). The surname moved down 39 positions in the national ranking, going from #482 to #521.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mcguire
FAQ
Mcguire surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mcguire?
The surname Mcguire holds position #521 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 74,755 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 21.81 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mcguire surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcguire, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.3%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.