Kessick comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal nameIsaac. The Gaelic forms of the name are Mac Isaac or Mac Iosaig, both of which mean son of Isaac.1
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Early Origins of the Kessick family
The surname Kessick was first found in Inverness, where one of the first records of the family was in 1476 when "the lands of Ardere in the barony of Clastray were resigned by Mariot, daughter of Molmoria M'Kesek." 1
Spelling variations for the family are quite varied: Mackessack, Mackissack, Mackissock, Mackissek, Makesaig (1592), Makkessake (1591), McKisack (1684) and many more.
In 1496, Donald Makessaig was recorded at Kilmun and he is probably the Donald McEsayg recorded in 1511. "John M'Intheir was convicted in 1623 for letting M'Keissik's 'bairnis the for hunger' in Breadalbane (BRT., p. 379 -there was probably a famine). Marion MacKissock was resident in the parish of Boyne, 1684, Elspet M'Kissick in Relliclone, parish of Madertie, 1658 (Dunkeld)." 1
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Early History of the Kessick family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kessick research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1685 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Kessick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Kessick Spelling Variations
The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Kessick has appeared as MacIsaac, MacIsaack, Kissock and others.
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Early Notables of the Kessick family
More information is included under the topic Early Kessick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Kessick family
Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Kessick or a variant listed above: Murdoch McIsaac who settled in New England in 1685; Malcolm MacIsaac settled in New York in 1775. In Newfoundland Dougal MacIsaac settled in Sandy Point in 1870.
Scotland
