Show ContentsMacConkey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic form of the name MacConkey is Óconnachtaigh. This name can be considered a place name as it indicates that its original bearer inhabited Connaught. The prefix O, meaning '"grandson of" indicates descent from the original bearer.

Early Origins of the MacConkey family

The surname MacConkey was first found in County Donegal with the MacSweenys. That name is derived from Suibhne O'Neill, who was a chieftain in Argyll, Scotland. His descendants migrated to Ireland as gallowglasses (mercenaries) prior to 1267. The three great septs of this name finally established themselves in Tirconnell in 14th century; they were known as MacSweeney Fanad, MacSweeney Banagh, and MacSweeney na dTuath, who were commonly referred to as 'MacSweeney of the Battleaxes.'

Early History of the MacConkey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacConkey research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the year 1893 is included under the topic Early MacConkey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacConkey Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland in the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. The many regional dialects and the predominate illiteracy would have made common surnames appear unrelated to the scribes of the period. Research into the name MacConkey revealed spelling variations, including Conaty, O'Conaty, Connaghty, Connoty, MacConaghy, MacConkey and many more.

Early Notables of the MacConkey family

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


Australia MacConkey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

MacConkey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James MacConkey, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [1]


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone


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