| ![Show Contents]() MacKee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
Etymology of MacKeeWhat does the name MacKee mean? The Picts of ancient Scotland were the tribe of the ancestors of the MacKee family. The name MacKee 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 MacKee 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 MacKee Coat of Arms CreationWhen Queen Mary was at Inverness, Mackay of Farr disregarded her summons to appear before her. Because of this a commission was granted to the Earl of Sutherland to invade the lands of Strathnaver. He besieged Castle Borve, which was held by a small force of twenty reso-lute clansmen, but the castle was taken and demolished. (Canon were used for the first time in the North of Scotland in this siege). It is said that when Mackay was asked by the Earl of Sutherland to exhibit his charter for his lands he put his hand, clasping a dirk, upon the table and exclaimed "Lamh laidir," the Latin of which, "mane forti" (with a strong hand), has been the motto of the clan ever since. 2 Early Origins of the MacKee familyThe surname MacKee 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 MacKee familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKee 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 MacKee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacKee Spelling VariationsBefore the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. MacKee has been spelled MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more. Early Notables of the MacKee familyNotable 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 MacKee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacKee family to IrelandSome of the MacKee 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.
| MacKee migration to the United States | + |
In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name MacKee:
MacKee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Daniel MacKee, who landed in New England in 1651-1652 3
- Daniel MacKee, who settled in Boston in 1651
- Neil MacKee, who settled in Boston in 1652
- Neale Mackee, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 3
MacKee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Patrick MacKee, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 aboard the ship "Protection" 3
- Robert MacKee, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 aboard the ship "Protection" 3
- Thomas MacKee, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 aboard the ship "Protection" 3
- George MacKee, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 3
- James Mackee, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 3
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| MacKee migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: MacKee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Patrick MacKee, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
| MacKee Motto and War Cry | + |
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.
War Cry: "Bratach Bhan," or White Banner.
War Cry Description: The badge of the clan is reed grass (in Gaelic cuilc)
- 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)
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- 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)
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