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The most
obvious spelling variation to some of the Sept names listed,
is the use of Mc or Mac, for example McComas and MacComas. Mac
for Mc and reverse are  accepted
spelling variations.
****
As the use of given names and surnames developed in
the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, there were probably many
spelling variations to the list of Sept names on this web
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MacThomas
Sept Names
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Combe
Combie
MacOmie
MacOmish
McColm
McComas
McComb
McCombe
McCombie
McComie
McComish
Tam
Thom
Thomas
Thoms
Thomson | site.
But on the other hand some names that now look like
they could be connected to the Clan MacThomas,
are probably not. An example is McComber/MCCumber/McOmber, as
research indicates these names were used by people living in
England, but none in Scotland. Then again there is the
possibility that the first person using McComber may have come
from Scotland. But even then a connection to the Clan could be
difficult to establish.
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A very significant issue for people
living in nations such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
South Africa and the United States, is that many immigrants
arriving in these countries in the early days, could not read
or write. This meant that officials recording their names
spelt them as heard, and generally based on their background,
eg, the official could have originated from England and spelt
names based on his English education. Also some immigrants on
arrival were giving a name by an official or the immigrant
selected a name. Even after settling, the immigrant may have
changed their name or the spelling.
****
Names such as Comee, Comey, Cumbie,
Macom, Mecon, Macomber, McCumber, Macomb, McCombs, MayComber,
all could be spelling variations of Sept names, but they also
may not be.
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An
acceptable connection to the Clan would occur, if a connection
could be established to the family having come from one of the
Highland counties in eastern Scotland. But generally, for the
names listed above, this has not happened, probably due to the
lack of evidence being recorded in early records.
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On the other hand, if a
person with a surname similar to a Sept name, such as those
above, feels a strong connection to the Clan MacThomas, then
the Chief may well accept there is a connection. The Society
would be very interested in being advised of any research that
does reveal a link to Scotland, and in particular to the
counties of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Angus, Fife,
Kincardineshire.
*****
Grahame
Thom (Clan Sennachie) |
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