| ![Show Contents]() Phee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Scotland's coastal mountains and Hebrides islands were known in ancient times as the kingdom of Dalriada. The name Phee evolved there as a nickname for a dark-featured, peaceful person. The Gaelic name of the Clan is Mac Dubhshithe, which translates as black one of peace. One branch of the Clan on the island of North Uist was known as Dubh-sidh, meaning 'black fairy,' due to their whimsical association with the faerie folk. 1 2 Early Origins of the Phee familyThe surname Phee was first found in on the Isle of Colonsay, where the eponymous ancestor of the Clan may be Dubhshith, also called Dubside, who was lector at the Cathedral on the sacred isle of Iona in 1164. As the name MacFee is one of the oldest of all Dalriadan surnames it appears in records as early as the reign of Alexander II, when Johannes Macdufthi was witness to a charter in Dumfriesshire. In 1296, Thomas Macdoffy swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England. 2 Early History of the Phee familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phee research. Another 398 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1506, 1512, 1531, 1532, 1541, 1569, 1585, 1595, 1605, 1609, 1626, 1681, 1703, 1723, 1747, 1838, 1845, 1850, 1890 and 1981 are included under the topic Early Phee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Phee Spelling VariationsSpelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Phee has been spelled MacFie, McFey, MacFee, MacDuffie, MacPhee, MacGuffie, MacCuffie, MacPhie, Maffie, Maffey, MacDubh-shithe (Gaelic) and many more. Early Notables of the Phee familyMore information is included under the topic Early Phee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Phee family to Ireland
Some of the Phee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Phee migration to the United States | + |
Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Phee were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:
Phee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Bessie Ann Phee, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Silvia" from Halifax, England 3
- Thomas Phee, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Fort Victoria" from Hamilton, Bermuda 3
- Sarah Phee, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Fort Victoria" from Hamilton, Bermuda 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name Phee (post 1700) | + |
- Mary Catherine "Molly" Phee, American diplomat, United States Ambassador to South Sudan (2015-)
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: Pro Rege
Motto Translation: For the King.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- 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)
- Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
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Phee migration to the United States 
Scotland
Ireland
England
