Clan MacIver Crest
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CREST: A boar’s head couped Or MOTTO: Nunquam Obliviscar TRANSLATION: I will never forget VARIATIONS: McIver |
| The roots of Clan MacIver can be traced back to the Norse personal name “Ivarr.” The Gaelic MS of 1467 mentions “M’Imhair” as one of the early spellings of the name. Imhair, a Norse chief, played a role alongside Olaf the White, the king of Dublin, during the siege and sack of Alclyde (Dumbarton) in 870-71. These Norse connections highlight the clan’s historical ties to Viking influences in the region.
Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing variations of the MacIver surname emerged in various historical records. Douenaldus filius Makbeth mac Ywar, recorded in 1219, participated in the perambulation of boundaries between Arbroath Abbey and the barony of Knyblathmund. In 1292, the lands of Malcolm McIuyr and others in Lorn were established as the sheriffdom of Lorne. |
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| Notable MacIvers left their imprint as witnesses, tenants, and officials. Archibald Makevire of Pennymoure served as an attorney, Duncan Campbell or M’Keuir of Stroneschero received a grant of lands, and Dowgall Makeuir and Alexander Makeuir served as jurors in different legal proceedings. These instances demonstrate the clan’s involvement in the social and legal affairs of their time.
The Craignish manuscript sheds light on an intriguing chapter in Clan MacIver’s history. According to the manuscript, the MacIvers descend from Iver Cromil, an illegitimate son of Gillespick, who was the son of Callen Maol math. Iver Cromil is said to have married a niece of King Alexander I. The manuscript also mentions that the Clan Iver lands were forfeited in the 17th century but later restored on the condition that the heir should adopt the name Campbell. This connection to the Campbell name adds a unique twist to the MacIver saga. The spelling of the MacIver surname has evolved over time, resulting in various iterations such as Maciver, Macivor, Makiver, Maccure, and Maceur. The proliferation of different spellings reflects the challenges of recording names accurately and consistently in historical documents. While the MacIver lands may have been forfeited, the spirit of the clan lives on in the hearts and minds of those who identify with its heritage. Descendants of the MacIvers continue to celebrate their ancestry, sharing stories, preserving genealogical records, and participating in Scottish cultural events. |
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