Origins Available: Irish,
Scottish
The saga of the Cooey family name begins among the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the
Picts. The Cooey name 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 Cooey is
Mac Ai.Early Origins of the Cooey family
The surname Cooey 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 Cooey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cooey research.
Another 597 words (43 lines of text) covering the years 1408, 1411, 1429, 1329, 1506, 1575, 1873, 1940, 1640, 1692, 1689, 1726 and 1692 are included under the topic Early Cooey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cooey Spelling Variations
Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of
spelling variations with single names. Cooey has appeared MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.
Early Notables of the Cooey family (pre 1700)
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 Cooey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Cooey family to Ireland
Some of the Cooey family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 253 words (18 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Cooey family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to
Ireland and
Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American
War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the
Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Cooey: Denis McCoy and his wife Catharine, who were colonists in Amelia county, Virginia in 1719; Agnes,
Angus, Alexander, Anna, Catherine, Daniel, George, James, John, Margaret, Neil, Samuel and William McKay, who all arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.
The Cooey 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.