MacComas is the Gaelic translation of MacThomas. There were a small number of MacThomases and MacComases living around the western end of Loch Tay in Perthshire in the early part of the 17th century. How they came to be there is not really surprising as the River Shee is a tributary of the Tay, which enabled these earlier migrants to make their way down to the Tay Valley from there upstream to Loch Tay.

 

Despite this small group, the Clan MacThomas name is most unusual within Scotland, unlike other Clans, the main name has only been used rarely over the centuries. This is because the early MacThomases preferred to be called by one or other of the Gaelic variations on the name. Also, when some clansmen decided to leave Glenshire and Glen Isla, following the break up of the Clan at the end of the 17th century, and move elsewhere, they generally adopted a variety of abbreviated anglicised versions, such as McComas.

 

Today the name McComas can be found mainly in the United States, as well as most English speaking nations.

 

"The History of the Clan MacThomas" compiled by Andrew MacThomas of Finegand.