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![Show Contents]() MacCoy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The first family to use the name MacCoy lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name MacCoy is derived from the personal name Aodh, a cognate of Hugh. The Gaelic form of the name is usually Mac Aoidh and in Inverness, the Gaelic form of the name MacCoy is Mac Ai. "Nothing certain is known of the origin of the northern Mackays beyond the fact that they were early connected with Moray, and may have been a part of the ancient Clann Morgunn. The Inverness-shire Mackays are usually called in Gaelic Mac Ai, that is, MacDhai, or Davidson; they formed a branch of Clan Chattan." 1 Early Origins of the MacCoy familyThe surname MacCoy was first found in Sutherland (Gaelic: Cataibh), a former county in northern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Highland, where early records show that Gilcrest M'Ay, forefather of the MacKay family of Ugadale, made a payment to the constable of Tarbert in 1326. It is claimed that the Clan is descended from the royal house of MacEth. Early History of the MacCoy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCoy research. Another 299 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1408, 1411, 1429, 1506, 1575, 1640, 1689, 1692, 1726, 1873, 1890 and 1940 are included under the topic Early MacCoy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacCoy Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. MacCoy has appeared MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more. Early Notables of the MacCoy familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was Hugh Mackay (c. 1640-1692), Scottish general, Major-General Commanding in Chief in Scotland in 1689, killed at the Battle of Steinkeerke; and...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCoy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the MacCoy family to Ireland
Some of the MacCoy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 133 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| MacCoy migration to the United States | + |
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name MacCoy:
MacCoy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Daniel MacCoy, who settled in Virginia in 1716
- Donald and Hugh MacCoy, who settled in South Carolina in 1716 along with John
- Hugh, John, Patrick, and Paul MacCoy settled there between 1716 and 1720
- Peter Maccoy, who landed in Maryland in 1747 2
MacCoy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Joseph MacCoy, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 2
- Alexander MacCoy, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
- Alexander, Bernard, Daniel, James, John, Mathew, Patrick, Robert, Thomas, and William MacCoy all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
| MacCoy migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: MacCoy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Miss Edith MacCoy, English Convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name MacCoy (post 1700) | + |
- Robert MacCoy, American Publisher
- Pressley MacCoy, Education Administrator
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: Manu forti
Motto Translation: With a strong hand.
- 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)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
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MacCoy migration to the United States 
MacCoy migration to Australia 
Ireland-Alt
Scotland
