Mair is a Scottish surname with roots in the workings of medieval law and land. It comes from an old office of the Scottish courts, and is found especially in the north-east of the country.
Quick answer: Mair is a Scottish surname from the old office of the mair — an officer of the medieval courts who served summonses and carried out the orders of the law; it is found especially in the north-east of Scotland.
Where Does the Mair Name Come From?
The name comes from the Scots word mair, the title of an officer of the law in medieval Scotland. The mair was a court officer who delivered legal summonses, made arrests, and carried out the instructions of the sheriff or baron — a respected and necessary role in the running of justice and the management of estates. A man who held this office, and his descendants, could take Mair as a surname.
The name became established particularly in the north-east of Scotland, around Aberdeenshire and the surrounding shires, and it spread with Scottish families overseas in later generations. In some cases a similar name can also derive from the Gaelic mòr, meaning “big.”
Own a Piece of Mair Heritage
The Mair name appears across keepsakes including a woven blanket and a crest mug, each pairing the family name with a tartan-background crest design.
Popular Mair gifts: Woven Blanket · Crest Mug
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mair Name
What nationality is the Mair surname?
Mair is Scottish, found especially in the north-east of the country.
What does the Mair name mean?
It comes from the office of the mair, an officer of the medieval Scottish courts.
What did a mair do?
A mair served legal summonses, made arrests, and carried out the orders of the sheriff or baron.
Is Mair a clan?
No. Mair is a surname from an old office rather than a clan with its own chief.
If you're proud of your Mair heritage, you can explore gifts and home décor featuring the Mair name by using the search bar above.
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