Conkie

This most interesting surname is of Scottish origin, and is a shortened form of the Scottish surname "MacConachie", itself the Anglicized form of the Gaelic name, "MacDhonnchaidh", composed of the Gaelic prefix "Mac", son of, and the personal name "Dhonnchaidh", Duncan. Clan Donnachie (Clann Donnchaidh) better known as Clan Robertson of Atholl, derive their name from "Fat Duncan", (Donncha Reamhar) de Atholia, who lived in the time of Robert the Bruce (1306-1329). In addition to these, there are three Argyllshire families that were known as MacDhonnachie. MacConachie is also found in North-East Ireland, where it is of Scottish descent and is also found as MacConkey. Angus M'Conchie witnessed a sasine of Cragniche to Archibald, earl of Argyll in 1493 and Huchon McConzochquhy was part tenant of Kynnarde Ross in 1505. There was an old family of MacConochies in Bute and of 75 people holding lands there in 1506, six were of this name. Wona Conaghy married a Shane Ruddan on December 15th 1659 at Templemore, Londonderry, while Margaret, daughter of John Conky was christened on September 23rd 1685 at Clones, Monaghan. James Conkie was christened on October 30th 1814, at St. Katherine by the Tower, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbert Maccoignache, which was dated 1296, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland", during the reign of King John Balliol, Ruler of Scotland, 1292-1296. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.