Show ContentsMcKamey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Scottish name McKamey is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Shimidh, a patronymic name from the Gaelic meaning 'son of Simon' (Simmie), of old Mack Himy. [1]

Turning back the clocks of time, we found Simon Fraser in 1570 gave this interesting note about the Simon: "A name pretty rare in Scotland, south or north, although kindly to this famely, being the first name it had, and hence the Lord Lovat is called M'Khimy."

Early Origins of the McKamey family

The surname McKamey was first found in Tweedale in Peebles-shire. They are said to descend from a Norman family from Anjou, in the Seigneurie of La Frezeliere, where their name was Frezell, they were one of the many Norman families invited north by King David of Scotland, and were granted lands at Keith in East Lothian in 1160.

The first chief to settle was named Simon Frazer, and his lands were called Keith Simon. Their stronghold was Oliver Castle on the Tweed.

The name is thought to have derived from Simon Fraser killed at Halidon Hill in 1333. By 1506, the family had achieved such notoriety that "King James IV granted in heritage to Ewin Makkymme the half of Lepinquhillin in Bute and to John Makkymmie the other half. These Makkymmes may have been the sons of Symon M'Watt who is in record in 1499." [1]

Early History of the McKamey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKamey research. Another 322 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1333, 1529, 1542, 1550, 1586, 1590, 1609, 1641, 1658, 1662, 1708, 1716 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McKamey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKamey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacKimmie, Mackhimmie, MacShimmie, MacCammie, MacKymmie, MacKymmey, MacImmey, MacImmie, McKimmie, McShimmie, McCammie, McKynnie, McKymmey, McImmey and many more.

Early Notables of the McKamey family

More information is included under the topic Early McKamey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKamey Ranking

In the United States, the name McKamey is the 8,811st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [2]

Ireland Migration of the McKamey family to Ireland

Some of the McKamey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKamey family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Alexander Mackimmie, who settled in Georgia in 1736.


Contemporary Notables of the name McKamey (post 1700) +

  • Wendy McKamey (b. 1946), American politician, Member of the Montana House of Representatives (2017-)
  • Dora Peg and Carol McKamey, American founders of The McKameys in 1954, a Southern Gospel group based in Clinton Tennessee

Fraterville mine
  • Mr. John C. McKamey (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [3]
  • Mr. Andrew McKamey (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [3]
  • Mr. William McKamey (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [3]
  • Mr. James McKamey (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [3]


The McKamey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).


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