Show ContentsMcKimmie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Scottish name McKimmie is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Shimidh, a patronymic name from the Gaelic meaning 'son of Simon' (Simmie), of old Mack Himy. 1

Turning back the clocks of time, we found Simon Fraser in 1570 gave this interesting note about the Simon: "A name pretty rare in Scotland, south or north, although kindly to this famely, being the first name it had, and hence the Lord Lovat is called M'Khimy."

Early Origins of the McKimmie family

The surname McKimmie was first found in Tweedale in Peebles-shire. They are said to descend from a Norman family from Anjou, in the Seigneurie of La Frezeliere, where their name was Frezell, they were one of the many Norman families invited north by King David of Scotland, and were granted lands at Keith in East Lothian in 1160.

The first chief to settle was named Simon Frazer, and his lands were called Keith Simon. Their stronghold was Oliver Castle on the Tweed.

The name is thought to have derived from Simon Fraser killed at Halidon Hill in 1333. By 1506, the family had achieved such notoriety that "King James IV granted in heritage to Ewin Makkymme the half of Lepinquhillin in Bute and to John Makkymmie the other half. These Makkymmes may have been the sons of Symon M'Watt who is in record in 1499." 1

Early History of the McKimmie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKimmie research. Another 322 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1333, 1529, 1542, 1550, 1586, 1590, 1609, 1641, 1658, 1662, 1708, 1716 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McKimmie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKimmie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacKimmie, Mackhimmie, MacShimmie, MacCammie, MacKymmie, MacKymmey, MacImmey, MacImmie, McKimmie, McShimmie, McCammie, McKynnie, McKymmey, McImmey and many more.

Early Notables of the McKimmie family

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

Migration of the McKimmie family to Ireland

Some of the McKimmie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McKimmie migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKimmie Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alexander McKimmie, who settled in Georgia in 1735
McKimmie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John McKimmie, aged 20, who settled in America from Crieff, in 1900
  • Anderson McKimmie, who landed in America, in 1903
  • Robert A. McKimmie, aged 26, who landed in America from London, England, in 1910
  • David McKimmie, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
  • Patrick McKimmie, aged 43, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922

Contemporary Notables of the name McKimmie (post 1700) +

  • Robert McKimmie (b. 1952), American professional football player
  • John M. McKimmie, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates, 1895-96, 1915-16 2
  • Stewart McKimmie (b. 1962), Scottish former professional footballer
  • Marnie McKimmie, Australian winner of the 1994 Arthur Lovekin Prize in Journalism
  • Jackie McKimmie (b. 1950), Australian film writer, director, and producer


The McKimmie 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: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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