Surname Aguire - Meaning and Origin

Aguire: What does the surname Aguire mean?

The last name Aguirre is of Basque origin. It's a habitational name derived from the term 'agirre' meaning 'peak', 'summit' or 'prominence'. Therefore, it's assumed that the name initially referred to families or individuals living near or at the top of a mountain. The name is associated with individuals from the Basque regions of Spain and France, particularly around northern Spain. Basque surnames traditionally refer to the location of the family's house, its appearance, or the occupation of the original bearers. So in this case, one can infer that the first people to have this surname likely lived in a high place, perhaps a hill or mountain top. Like most surnames, it is used to identify a person's familial lineage.

Aguire: Where does the name Aguire come from?

The surname Aguirre originates from the Basque region, a culturally unique area located between Spain and France. In the Basque language (Euskara), "Aguirre" means 'prominent' or 'in the top'. It was originally used to denote someone who lived on the top of a mountain or a hill.

Today, the surname Aguirre is common in Spain, and more specifically in the Basque Country. It is also prevalent in parts of Latin America, particularly in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, owing to Spanish colonization in the Americas.

It's important to note that variations in the spelling of the surname can occur, such as Aguirra or Aguir. In fact, the English and Irish surname "McGuire" is believed to have been anglicized from the Basque surname Aguirre.

In summary, while the surname Aguirre has its roots in the Basque country, it is widely spread across Spanish speaking countries today.

Variations of the surname Aguire

The surname Aguire is primarily of Basque origin. It comes from the Basque words "a" meaning "the" and "gure" translating to "height or high place" suggesting the ancestors of the name lived atop hills or highlands.

The surname has several variants due to regional differences, transcription errors, translation issues, and personal preference. Some common variants include Aguirre, Aguierre, Aguirra, Agure, and Aguerre.

Aguirre is the most common spelling of the surname. The name has been popularized because of its noble families in Spain. The spelling variations primarily emerge from Castilianization of the Basque names.

Subsequently, it has spread throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and by virtue of migration, obtained global presence. The Philippine version of the surname, as cataloged in the Catalogo alfabetico de apellidos (Alphabetical Catalogue of Surnames), is Aguirrezabal.

There might also be unrelated surnames in different cultures that sound similar to Aguire. For instance, McGuire is a distinguished Irish surname that phonetically mimics Aguire. Despite the phonetic resemblance, it is not related and stems from the Gaelic "Mag Uidhrin."

Famous people with the name Aguire

• Andres Aguirre: He is a very well-known Paraguayan footballer recognized for his talent.
• Iñaki Aguirre: Iñaki is a former Spanish professional footballer and now coach, who had a great career in various football clubs.
• Damaso Aguirre: Damaso is recognized as a reputable playwright and theatre director from Spain.
• Sergio Aguirre: Sergio is a famous Argentinean writer, famous for his thriller and mystery novels.
• Mosco Aguirre: Known as Mosco, he is a retired Mexican football player.
• Bruno Aguirre: Bruno is a modern professional footballer from Uruguay playing with CA River Plate.
• Angel Aguirre Rivero: Angel is a seasoned Mexican politician who has served as the Governor of Guerrero.
• Carmen Aguirre: Carmen is a Canadian-based actress and writer who has worked on numerous stage productions and TV shows.
• Cecil Aguirre: Cecil pursued a career in acting, primarily known for his role in the movie "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist."
• Marcela Aguirre: Marcela is a professional Argentine boxer. She has held the national super-lightweight title in 2018. Please note that spelling variations may exist, as "Aguirre" can be spelled "Aguire" in certain regions or cases.

Other surnames

Aguirre