Maguire is one of the few Irish surnames that belongs almost entirely to one county — and what a county to own. The Maguires were the kings of Fermanagh, ruling the lakelands from their island castle at Enniskillen for three centuries. If you're shopping for a Maguire — or a McGuire, the spelling many American branches adopted — here's our guide to heritage gifts fit for the lords of the lakes.
The Kings of Fermanagh
The Maguire name comes from the Irish Mag Uidhir — son of Odhar, "the dun-coloured one" — and from the 13th century the family ruled Fermanagh, patrons of poets and church-builders, with their stronghold at Enniskillen Castle commanding the waterways of Lough Erne. Hugh Maguire died leading cavalry in the Nine Years' War; the dynasty fell with the Flight of the Earls, but the name never left its lakeland home. We cover both spellings: the Maguire surname history and the McGuire surname history. Our crest collection is listed under the McGuire spelling — the blanket itself is titled for the Maguire Lords of Fermanagh — and honours the name in both forms.
The McGuire Woven Blanket — The Lords of Fermanagh Throw
The flagship gift: the family crest displayed against a tartan background, woven into the fabric itself rather than printed. Three sizes, from a display throw to a full 80" × 60" couch blanket.
Who it suits: parents and grandparents, a Maguire wedding couple, or the relative who's stood on the bridge at Enniskillen and looked up at the castle — they'll understand immediately.
The McGuire Mug — The Lakeland Daily Cup
For birthdays, stockings, and everyday gestures, the family crest mug carries the same royal Fermanagh lineage at an easy price.
More Ways to Give the Maguire Name
The same crest design carries across our range under the McGuire spelling:
- Garden flags — the crest flying out front; a housewarming favourite.
- Ornaments — small, meaningful, and back every December.
- Apparel and everyday pieces — reunion-ready and daily-use alike; search McGuire in our store for the current range.
Matching the Gift to the Occasion
Christmas: the blanket as the centerpiece; crest mugs and ornaments for the wider list. Father's Day & Mother's Day: a crest gift honours the parent who handed down a king's name. Weddings: a woven blanket for a new Maguire household. Roots trips: the right send-off for the Fermanagh pilgrimage. Sympathy: a dignified way to honour a Maguire who has passed.
Put the Story in the Card
Kings for three hundred years, an island castle, a cavalry hero — the lines are in the Maguire surname history. If the family tree runs through Fermanagh, the McManus history covers the Maguires' own kin who took a separate name, and the Cassidy history covers the hereditary physicians who served the Maguire kings for generations.
Maguire Gift FAQ
What is the best gift for someone named Maguire?
For milestone occasions, the family crest woven blanket — titled for the Maguire Lords of Fermanagh — is the heirloom piece. For everyday gifting, a crest mug or ornament carries the same story at a smaller price.
Maguire or McGuire — does the spelling matter?
Both come from Mag Uidhir of Fermanagh; McGuire became the common American form. Our collection is listed under McGuire and honours both — and we cover each spelling's history separately.
Is a family crest the same as a coat of arms?
Historically arms belonged to individuals rather than whole families — which is why we use the term family crest. Our guide to family crests vs. coats of arms explains the difference.
Can I find gifts for other surnames in my family?
Yes — we cover more than 1,400 Irish surnames. Type any family name into the search bar at the top of the page.
Irish, Scottish, and Welsh names in one family? Explore the full Heritage Trio of collections — search your surname in our store and find a gift for every branch of the tree.
