McComas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The McComas surname is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Tómais," meaning "son of Thomas." 1
Early Origins of the McComas family
The surname McComas 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 the history of this particular Clan actually begins with another larger clan from which the MacThomases are derived, the Clan MacKintosh. 1
The clan's progenitor was Adam M'Intosh, son of William, of Garvamore, son of the seventh chief of the Clan MacKintosh and held a family seat at Garvamore in Badenoch about the 13th century. The name most frequently became M'Thomas (son of Thomas) but was often spelt M'Thomis, M'Homie, M'Omie, M'Comie and others. The Thoms variant was first listed as Patrick Hunter Thoms, son of George Thomas. From this spelling the Thowmis, Thowms and Thownis spellings were derived.
Early History of the McComas family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McComas research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1537, 1587, 1590, 1597, 1678 and 1681 are included under the topic Early McComas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McComas Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: MacThomas, MacComas, MacComie, McColm, Thoms and others.
Early Notables of the McComas family
More information is included under the topic Early McComas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McComas Ranking
In the United States, the name McComas is the 6,854th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2
McComas 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:
McComas Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Sarah McComas, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 3
Contemporary Notables of the name McComas (post 1700) +
- Elisha W. McComas (1820-1890), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Lorissa McComas (1970-2009), American model
- James Douglas McComas (1928-1994), American academic, 13th President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1985-1988), 14th President of Mississippi State University (1975-1985)
- David John McComas (b. 1958), American space scientist, Assistant Vice President for Space Science and Engineering at the Southwest Research Institute, member of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC)
- Daniel Francis McComas (b. 1953), American politician, Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (1995-2012)
- William McComas (1795-1865), American politician, U.S. Representative from Virginia
- Louis Emory McComas (1846-1907), American Republican politician, United States Senator from Maryland (1899-1905) 4
- Kendall McComas (1916-1981), American former child actor, known for his role as "Stinky Davis" in Mickey McGuire's gang and later with Our Gang
- Carroll McComas (1886-1962), American stage, film and television actress
- Jesse Francis McComas (1910-1978), American science fiction editor
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The McComas 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: Deo Juvante Invidiam Superabo
Motto Translation: With God's help, I will overcome envy
Citations +