INTRODUCTION.
THE ORIGIN of the name McClure has been frequently discussed in the genealogical literature of Great Britain. The following theories have been advanced:
1. The name (variously spelt McClure, McCluer, McClewer, Maclure, McLewer, McLure, and McLuir), comes from the Gaelic word MacLobhair, pronounced MacLour, and means "son of the leper."
2. That it comes from the Gaelic MacGiolla-odhar (which in the genitive is uidhar and pronounced ure), contracted to MacIlure and hence McLure or McClure, and means "son of the pale one." This theory is advocated by Rev. Edmund McClure, M. A., London, Secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
3. That it is a derivation of the Gaelic MacLeabhair, (pronounced MacLour) and means "son of the book," i. e. they were the teachers in the Clan McLeod, just as the McMcRimmons (or McCrimmons) were the clan pipers. They were MacLeabhair McLeods, McLeabhair (McLour, McLure, McClure), eventually becoming the sir-name. Several Gaelic scholars deny this derivation of the name, tho' admitting the very ancient tradition of the McClure tutorship in the Clan McLeod.
4. That the name is identical with MacLir (or MacLur) the seagod of Ireland and the Isle of Man. This theory is advanced in an article published in the Dublin University Magazine on the late Sir Robert McClure, the navigator.
5. The McClures were originally a Manx family, the first legendary king of the Island being a Manannan McClure, is the tradition inherited by the McClures of Manchester, England, to which family belong the late Sir John W. McClure, M. P., and the Very Rev. Edward C. McClure, D. D., Dean of Manchester. Held also by Sir Edward Stanley McClure.
