MacKy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The history of the MacKy family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name MacKy comes 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 MacKy 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 MacKy family
The surname MacKy 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 MacKy family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKy 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 MacKy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacKy Spelling Variations
In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. MacKy has appeared MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.
Early Notables of the MacKy family
More information is included under the topic Early MacKy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacKy family to Ireland
Some of the MacKy 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.
MacKy migration to the United States +
Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name MacKy:
MacKy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- John Macky, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 2
MacKy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Leo Macky, aged 29, who landed in America, in 1893
MacKy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Mrs August Macky, aged 53, who settled in America, in 1906
- August Macky, aged 53, who landed in America, in 1906
- Albert Macky, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States, in 1911
- David Macky, aged 37, who immigrated to America, in 1920
- John Macky, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1920
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
MacKy migration to New Zealand +
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:
MacKy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Mrs. Anne Macky, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 3
- Mr. Donald Macky, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 3
- Mis Jane S Macky, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 3
- Mr. John C Macky, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 3
- Hugh Macky, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Siam" in 1865
Contemporary Notables of the name MacKy (post 1700) +
- Katherine Faith "Willow" Macky (b. 1921), New Zealand's songwriter, who received the Queen's Service Medal for Community Service in 2006
- Neil Lloyd Macky (1891-1981), New Zealand lawyer and military leader
- Graham Macky (1954-1987), New Zealand long-distance runner who competed at the 1987 World Championships
- Frank Macky (b. 1891), former Australian rules footballer
Historic Events for the MacKy family +
- Mr. Joseph Macky, New Zealander 2nd Class passenger from New Zealand, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 4
- Mrs. Mary Macky, New Zealander 2nd Class passenger from New Zealand, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 4
The MacKy 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.
Citations +
- 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)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
- Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/