Show ContentsCoomey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Coomey 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 Coomey family

The surname Coomey 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 Coomey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coomey 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 Coomey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coomey Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were hardly exact sciences in Medieval Scotland. Sound, rather than any set of rules, was the basis for spellings, so one name was often spelled different ways even within a single document. Spelling variations are thus an extremely common occurrence in Medieval Scottish names. Coomey has been spelled MacComb, MacCombe, MacCombie, MacCombs, MacCome, MacComie, McCome, McKComb, Mackcome, McComey, Coomey and many more.

Early Notables of the Coomey family

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

Ireland Migration of the Coomey family to Ireland

Some of the Coomey 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.


United States Coomey migration to the United States +

Such hard times forced many to leave their homeland in search of opportunity across the Atlantic. Many of these families settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. The ancestors of many of these families have rediscovered their roots in the 20th century through the establishment of Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Among them:

Coomey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Coomey (post 1700) +

  • Alan Coomey (b. 1984), Irish Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer


The Coomey 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: Touch not the cat bot a glove
Motto Translation: Don't touch the cat without a glove.


  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)


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