Mair Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Mair Origin:

Scotland

Origins of Mair:

This interesting and unique name, with the different spelling Mare, acquires from the Olde Gaelic word “maor”, which means an administrator, constable, or warden, and was frequently given as a Scottish professional name to an officer of the courts whose duty it was to execute notification and other legal court orders. Those who held inherited assignments were described “mairs of a fee,” because others related to as Praeco Regis (heralds of the king). In the act of the Scottish Parliament, dated 1426, the mair introduced as the “king’s sergeant,” and named to bear a “horn and wand.” The surname was first listed in the second part of the 13th Century, and one Symon le Mare, of Perthshire, affected admiration to Edward I of England in 1296, and a Eustace Marr or Mare was the collector of donations of the sheriffdom of Perth in 1360. John Marie, a Scottish trader, was given a safe conduct overland to business between Scotland and England in 1453. John Mair or Major (1469 – 1550) was a professor of philosophy and Lord at Glasgow University in 1518. He released “History of Greater Britain, both England, and Scotland,” in 1521.

Variations:

More common variations are: Maire, Maier, Maira, Maior, Mairi, Maiur, Mairo, Mairy, Mawir, Mairu.

Scotland:

The surname Mair first appeared in Cheshire at Mere, a township, in the church of Rosthern, union of Altrincham, hundred of Bucklow.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Robert le Mare, dated about 1220, in the “Cartulary of the Abbey of Saint Andrew,” Scotland. It was during the time of King Alexander II of Scotland, dated 1214-1249. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Mair had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Mair settled in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Mair who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Daniel Mair settled in New York in 1774. Peter Mair settled in Maryland in 1774. Daniel Mair arrived in New York in 1774.

The following century saw more Mair surnames arrive. Some of the people with the surname Mair who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Charles Mair landed in New York in 1812. H Mair arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1822. Hugh Mair landed in New York in 1825. Andreas Mair arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1850. Thomas Mair arrived in Philadelphia, PA between 1840 and 1860.

Canada:

Some of the people with the surname Mair who settled in Canada in the 19th century included John Mair arrived in Canada in 1820.

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Mair who settled in Australia in the 19th century included Thomas Mair arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship “John Bunyan.

New-Zealand:

Some of the people with the surname Mair who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included G Mair landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1829. R Mair landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1830.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Mair: Austria 5,501; Germany 5,245; England 3,565; United States 2,888; Scotland 2,461; Italy 1,388; Canada 1,338; Australia 1,289; Pakistan 1,006; Jamaica 875.

Notable People:

Adam Mair (born 1979), is a Canadian ice hockey player.

Charles Mair was a Canadian poet and son of Scottish immigrants.

Earnest Mair is an Australian rugby league football referee.

Eddie Mair is a Scottish television and radio presenter.

Gilbert Mair (trader) (1799 – 1857), was a sailor and merchant in New Zealand.

Lee Mair (born 1980), is a Scottish football player.

Norman Mair is a Scottish rugby player and analyst.

Rafe Mair is a Canadian politician.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (W. Mair, Esq., of Glassels). Or, three bars dancettée gu. the first charged with a crescent and estoile ar.
2) (England). Barry of six indented or and gu. Crest—A demi pegasus issuing ar. enfiled round the waist with a ducal coronet gu.
3) (Scotland). Ar. on a bend az. three eaglets displ. or.
4) (Aberdeen, 1776). Motto—Spes et fortitudo. Or, three bars indented gu. that in chief charged with a crescent and a star of six points ar. Crest—A lion’s head erased ar.
5) (London, from co. Ayr, 1784). Motto—Candidior. Or, three bars counterindented gu. on the uppermost a crescent and a spur-rowel ar. a bordure az. Crest—A swan ppr.