McAleer
“son of Giolla Odhar, ‘the pale youth’”
The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.
Is McAleer an Irish name?
McAleer has two separate origins. A Gaelic sept and an incoming family ended up with the same English spelling, and they are not related — which one you belong to is a question the surname cannot answer, only the records can. In Irish the name is Mac Giolla Uidhir.
What does the surname McAleer mean?
McAleer (Irish: Mac Giolla Uidhir) means “son of Giolla Odhar, ‘the pale youth’”. Origin: Gaelic sept / also Scottish.
Where in Ireland is the surname McAleer from?
The historic homeland of the McAleer name is Armagh. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.
What is the Irish for McAleer?
Mac Giolla Uidhir. Related spellings: MacAleer, MacLear, MacLure, McClure, MacClure.
Looking for the McAleer family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting. Tracing McAleer ancestors? The step-by-step guide.
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