Cyr
A surname of Saint’s-name origin, ultimately tied to Greek and Christian traditions.
The #3,029 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 26,101 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Cyr is usually a shortened French form connected with the name of Saint Cyr, a Christian saint-name found in old calendars as Cire/Cyr. The deeper root is Greek Kyrios-related tradition in Christian naming, often transmitted into Latin and French forms. In some cases it may also reflect use of Cyr as a clipped form of longer saint-based names rather than an independent word meaning.
History
The name is especially associated with French usage and with families in French-speaking areas of North America. Historical references also link it to St. Cyr and to saint-name traditions in medieval and early modern calendars. In genealogy records, Cyr can appear as a concise French surname or as a shortened form of related saintly names.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same saint-name tradition shows up in place names and surnames such as Saint-Cyr, making this a classic example of a religious name becoming a family name.
From the historical record
“Ciron , Cirot. Dér. du nom de saint Cyr, écrit Cire dans les calen- driers anciens. Civet, Civeton, Civiel, Ci- i vielle. l>ér. de Cive: espèce d'ail.”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)