MacEy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the MacEy family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name MacEy 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 MacEy 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 MacEy family

The surname MacEy 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 MacEy family

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

MacEy Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. MacEy has been spelled MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.

Early Notables of the MacEy family

Notable 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 MacEy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacEy Ranking

In the United States, the name MacEy is the 14,252^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the MacEy family to Ireland

Some of the MacEy 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.

MacEy migration to the United States +

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of MacEy:

MacEy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Macey, who landed in Virginia in 1638 3

MacEy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

T R Macey, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 3
Jacob Macey, who landed in New York in 1897 3

MacEy migration to Australia +

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

MacEy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Macey, (Maisey), (b. 1798), aged 20, English labourer who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1880 4
Mr. Edward Macey, (b. 1800), aged 19, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1834 5
James Macey, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 6

Contemporary Notables of the name MacEy (post 1700) +

Jonathan R. Macey, American Sam Harris Professor of Corporate Law, Corporate Finance and Securities Law at Yale Law School
Reese L. Macey, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 1936 7
John R. Macey, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 1968-81 (acting, 1968) 7
Jesse Macey, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1908 7
Harold Macey, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for New Hampshire, 1948 7
Lance Macey, New Zealand gold medalist lawn bowls competitor at the 1938 British Empire Games
Hubert "Hub" Macey (1921-2008), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey forward
Adrian Macey (b. 1948), English-born, New Zealand diplomat
Reg Macey (b. 1936), former Australian politician from Melbourne
David Macey (1949-2011), English translator and intellectual historian
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The MacEy 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: Manu forti
Motto Translation: With a strong hand.