Surname O Duire - Meaning and Origin
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O Duire: What does the surname O Duire mean?
O Duire is an Irish surname that originates from the Gaelic "Ó Duibhdíre," which translates to "descendant of Duibhdíre." The personal name Duibhdíre is a compound of the elements "dubh," meaning black, and "díre," meaning constant or enduring. So, "Duibhdíre" can be interpreted as "black and enduring." Therefore, a person with the surname O Duire could be seen as a descendant of someone who was dark (either in hair, complexion, or disposition) and constant or enduring. As with many surnames, its exact meaning can vary or be subject to interpretation. However, it is primarily an identifier of one's ancestral lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisO Duire: Where does the name O Duire come from?
The last name O Duire is a common surname in Ireland. It can also be found in Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia, among other countries where people of Irish descent have settled.
The origins of the name are unclear, but it is likely derived from the old Gaelic name Ó Duibhir. Translated from Gaelic, it means “descendant of Duibhir,” a male personal name that roughly translates to “dark one.”
The first known record of the family was in Galway, Ireland, where the O Duire surname is most prominent. The highest concentration of O Duires in Ireland is still in County Galway. Today, the surname is found both in the United States and elsewhere in the English-speaking world, but is still especially common in Ireland.
In the United States, the largest communities of O Duires are located in the Midwest. There are also many living in the Pacific Northwest, though the number of descendants is smaller.
In Canada, the name can still be found in western cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg, as well as Ontario’s major cities like Toronto and Ottawa. Australians of Irish descent also retain the O Duire surname, and it is particularly common in New South Wales and Victoria.
Overall, the surname O Duire remains quite common in many countries where Irish families have settled. Though its origin may be uncertain, its legacy remains visible in many parts of the English-speaking world.
Variations of the surname O Duire
The surname O Duire is a variant of the Irish surname O Daly. It is an anglicised form of the old Irish surname O'Dalaigh, meaning "descendant (or follower) of Dalaigh" - Dalaigh being a male given name in old Ireland. This name was common, especially in Connacht, where O'Dalaighs were numerous as Lords of Tirerrill, County Sligo, and as Chiefs of Kinel Terryn in County Mayo.
Variants of the surname O Duire include O'Duire, O'Duyre, O'Dwyer, O'Dowd, and O'Doda. Spelling variations can occur in patronyms, with some examples being O'Dooey, O'Doohy, O'Dooy, O'Duey, O'Duey, and O'Due.
The surnames O'Dee, O'Deegan, O'Deery, McDyer, McDeyer, Deegan, Deery, Dwyer, Dowd, and Doda can also be linked to the origin of the O Duire surname.
The approximate number of bearers of the name in Ireland is estimated to be from 2,500 to 10,000 in the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Cavan, and Dublin. However, it is most common in the County Mayo and the Connacht region.
The anglicised form of the Irish name, O Duire, is common in Ireland but is not found in other countries, suggesting that most of the families with this surname remain in their native land.
Famous people with the name O Duire
- Dan O'Duire: Actor
- Finbar Furey: an Irish folk singer-songwriter
- Bernie O'Duire: American professional wrestler
- Eimear O’Duire: Irish historian and archaeologist
- Siobhan O'Duire: Irish traditional music singer
- Michael O'Duire: Irish rugby union player
- John O'Duire: American football guard
- Fritz O'Duire: Football running back
- Tom O'Duire: Irish trainer and co-owner of a horse racing stable
- Roisin O'Duire: poet and playwright