[Scotus]

Well, Matt beat me to it. He is correct. There are a group of MacKays who are a sept of Clan Donald and have no relation to the northern MacKays. A lot of the Northern Ireland MacKays (or names of various spellings; e.g. MacCoy) are from Clan Donald and not from the northern group.

My humble suggestion for anyone with the name MacKay (or variation of the spelling) would be to do your research. If you're certain that your MacKays are from the northern group, I would join the Clan MacKay Society. If you can prove they are from Islay or Kintyre, I would definitely join the Clan Donald Society.

[TtheArab]

Interesting perspectives here. From a MacKay (grandmothers side) living in Scotland I can say my family are from the North and do regard themselves as a sept of MacDonald and are incredibly proud of such.

In addition the other branch of the family can trace back to the original planting of Ireland and ending up as a mixed Protestant / Catholic family so we have linkages there too.

Be very careful gents of trying to be cut and dried with our history, it never is that easy

[cajunscot]

Originally Posted by TtheArab

Interesting perspectives here. From a MacKay (grandmothers side) living in Scotland I can say my family are from the North and do regard themselves as a sept of MacDonald and are incredibly proud of such.

In addition the other branch of the family can trace back to the original planting of Ireland and ending up as a mixed Protestant / Catholic family so we have linkages there too.

Be very careful gents of trying to be cut and dried with our history, it never is that easy

Just curious, but 1)The North of what (Ireland, Scotland) and 2) why do they regard themselves a sept of the Macdonalds?

I'm not wishing to grouse here, just interested to know...

T.

[Scotus]

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Just curious, but 1)The North of what (Ireland, Scotland) and 2) why do they regard themselves a sept of the Macdonalds?

To be clear, when I wrote "northern," I was speaking of the Mackays who were/are living in what has been known as Mackay Country; that is, what became Sutherland in the 19th century, and who have a connection to those Mackays. I was trying to distinguish them from the Mackays who are associated with Clan Donald.

I like to think my grasp of Scottish history and clans is on pretty solid footing; of course I could be totally deluding myself.

[Colonel MacNeal]

Sounds familiar. Some of my ancestors were Kennedys but they were not part of the Scottish clan or the Irish family. Instead they were a sept of Clan Cameron.

"Screwy Ain't It" - Buggs Bunny