McComas

Recorded in many forms as MacComb, MaCome, McComb, McCome, McCamish, McAmish, McComas and many others, it is said that this surname is of both Scottish and Irish origins. It is certainly Gaelic, but only as far back as the medieval period as however spelt it is of Crusader origins, and a form of Thomas, and its diminutive Thom. This was a popular given name of biblical origin, meaning "twin", and borne by one of Christ's disciples, best known for his scepticism. Crusader names were those brought back to Northern Europe by returning knight from their many expeditions to try to free Jerusalem from the Muslims. All failed but this did not stop the spread of Christian names across Europe. The surname development from medieval times includes Roger M'Com of Kirkcudbright in 1679, Robert McKome of Carsfern in 1684, in Ireland the christening of Anne Mc Camish at Clones, County Monaghan, in 1693, and the marriages of Robert Mc Combe and Margaret Ross on December 28th 1711, at Dalkeith, Midlothian, and again in Ireland that of John McComas at Jamestown, Leitrim, on May 8th 1866. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilchrist Makcome, which was dated 1526, in the "Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland", during the reign of King James V of Scotland, 1513 - 1542. 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.