The McEvoy or McAvoy Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 126. Plate 19.)

THE McEvoy family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The founder of the family was Colla Vais, or Huais, King of Ireland, A. D. 315, and son of Eocha Dubhlein, or Doivlen, brother of Fiacha Straivetine, first King of Connaught. The ancient name was Vais, which signifies “Goodness.”

The possessions of the sept were located in the present Counties of Westmeath and Queens County. The territory of the McEvoys appears to have been situated in the barony of Stradbally, in the Queen’s County. They also possessed a territory in Teffia, called Ui Mac Uais, now the barony of Moygoish, in Westmeath. Some of them have changed the name to McVeagh.

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