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![Show Contents]() Comey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland Scotland
The Comey surname comes from the Gaelic MacComaidh, which is in turn from MacThomaidh or MacThom. The same Gaelic names have often been Anglicized Thomson. 1 Early Origins of the Comey familyThe surname Comey was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. "The 'b' was introduced into the name about the end of the eighteenth century. MacComy was a common surname in Breadalbana 250 and more years ago. The Glenshee MaacComies date their rise from the latter half of the fourteenth century. They appear as a distinct family in Glenshee in the sixteenth century, and in a feu-charter of the lands of Finnegand and Glenbeg granted in 1571 to John M'Comy Moir they are described as being 'ab antiquo' tenants and possessors of these lands." 1 Early History of the Comey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Comey research. Another 254 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1508, 1540, 1542, 1556, 1586, 1587, 1595, 1623, 1638, 1644, 1645, 1663, 1696, 1760 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Comey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Comey Spelling VariationsThe origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. Comey has been spelled MacComb, MacCombe, MacCombie, MacCombs, MacCome, MacComie, McCome, McKComb, Mackcome, McComey, Coomey and many more. Early Notables of the Comey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Comey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Comey family to Ireland
Some of the Comey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Comey migration to the United States | + |
The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them:
Comey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Cornelius Comey, who declared an Oath of Allegiance in Philadelphia in 1864
- Samuel George Comey, who was naturalized in Illinois in 1885
| Contemporary Notables of the name Comey (post 1700) | + |
- Arthur Messinger Comey (1861-1933), American chemist and professor, an author of A Dictionary of Chemical Solubilities
- Rachel Comey, American independent fashion designer, founder of Rachel Comey, a clothing, shoes, and accessories brand
- James Brien Comey (b. 1960), American lawyer and former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013-2017), Deputy Attorney General of the United States during President George W. Bush's administration, 7th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; he was fired on May 9,2017
- Stephen Comey (b. 1963), Irish-born, Australian actor, known for his roles in Sons and Daughters (1982), Come Midnight Monday (1982) and Hey Dad..! (1987)
- Rev. James Patrick Comey, Rector of Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver (1995-)
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: Touch not the cat bot a glove
Motto Translation: Don't touch the cat without a glove.
- 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)
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Comey migration to the United States 
