ivor

ivor

Ivor is an English masculine given name derived either directly from the Norse Ívarr, or from Welsh (which spells it Ifor), Irish (sometimes Ibar), or Scottish, all of which likely derive it also from the original Norse form. The Norse name is derived from the Old Norse elements ýr (yew, bow) and herr (warrior, army): hence, 'archer, bow warrior'. It is possible the old Norse name Ívarr comes from the Celtic root and may be related to the Celtic root of -iv which is found in St. Ives for example, itself possibly referring to yew. This could indicate an earlier shared language origin; potentially through Indo-European, previous contact or another source.Some of the earliest known bearers of the name are Ibar of Beggerin, an Irish saint who may have preceded or been contemporary with St. Patrick and probably died in the 500s; Ivar the Boneless, an 800s Viking who was possibly identical to the Ímair attested in Irish and Scottish annals; and Ifor Bach, a Welsh leader of the 1100s.

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