First off, please let me apologize if this is not appropriate for this forum. I can imagine that those of you that frequent this forum get very tired of these type of questions. I do not want to cause anyone any trouble or bother but I figured that some of you experts can help me out. Is anyone familiar with the last name McCoy? I am assuming that it is an Anglicized version of an Irish name but I have been trying to find out more info on it and I am not having any luck. Can anyone help me by providing a little background on the name (Irish spelling, history, areas it may be commonly found in Ireland, etc.)? As always, I appreciate any help that that you can provide.

Go raibh maith agat,

ACM

McCoy

Mac Aodha

'son of hugh'

North East galloglass basis in Norn Iron

A 'dj@ks, A Chára,

Thanks for the fast repsonse. I figured that someone here would know more than I could find on the web. Do you have any idea how common this name is in Ireland? In the US, it is fairly common.

ACM

McCoy,
I took the above out of the by now de facto 'the surnames of ireland' by edward mclysaght.

As to its prevailance, I would say not too common, and the reason it would be more so in Antrim would be that it sounds like a scots gaelic original brought over here around the 14th century via Antrim. In essence, it is now more popularly associated with scotland than ireland, reagardless of its more complex gaelic beginnings.

Here in the border with Ulster, in the Leitrim region there are galloglass names like Murray and McCabe, but I personally know no McCoys.

In the 07/09 phone area book area book there are 23 McCoy names covering Donegal, Connaught and Westmeath. However a search here: =http:///search.asp?source=Eircom reveals about 34 in that same area (althjo 07/09 does not follow the counties exactly).

Carlow: 1
Cavan: 29
Clare: 15
Cork: 15
Donegal: 1
Dublin: 58
Galway: 12
Kerry: 4
Kildare: 67
Kilkenny: 5
Laois: 7
Leitrim: 2
Limerick: 40
Longford: 1 & 1 double barrel (McCoyOGrady)
Louth: 29
Mayo: 5
Meath: 72
Monaghan: 28
Offaly: 5
Roscommon: 3
Sligo: 10
Tipperary: 12
Waterford: 6
Iarmhí: 4
Wexford: 8
wicklow: 75

Check this out! As Djaeks says it is a name of Scots Gaelic origin! Some of the Scottish Planters of Ulster were Gaels!

You only have to look at some solid Unionist politicians with Scots Gaelic names! eg Ken Maginnis

http://scripts.ireland.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?Surname=McCoy&fuseaction=G o.

I wonder what are the most common Scots Gaelic names in Ireland/Ulster? any idea?

East Ulster Irish is very influenced by scottish Gaelic, and the dialect spoken in Rathlin Island (off the northeastern coast of Ireland, near Ballycastle) is considered a Scottish Gaelic one.

There isn’t much difference between northeastern Irish (dialects that are dead now) and southwestern scottish Gaelic (the differences are mostly in some pronounciation facts).

A chairde,
I'd guess that Campbell would be one of the most common Scots Gaelic names in Ulster.
It is just a guess though, based on my personal experience.
Slán beo!
Chris

According to MacLysacht, Campbell is an Irish sept in Tyrone from "MacCathmhaoil" (cathmhaoil, battle chief).
In Donegal, it is usually a of Scottish gallaglass origin, viz. MacAilín a branch of the clan Campbell (whose name is from 'cam béal', crooked mouth).
Many Campbells are more recent Scottish immagrants.



-Maidhc.