The given name Mccoy has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language and culture. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "cuaidh" meaning "stranger" or "wanderer." The name emerged in the Scottish Highlands during the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mccoy can be found in the Chronicles of Melrose Abbey, a historical text written in the late 13th century. It mentions a man named Gillecryst McCoy, who was a member of the clan McQuaid (or McWade) in the Scottish Borders region.

The name gained prominence in the 16th century, when a man named Cormac McCoy was noted for his bravery and leadership during the Scottish Reformation. He fought alongside the Protestant forces against the Catholic Church and was instrumental in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

In the 17th century, a famous bearer of the name was Dermot McCoy, an Irish soldier who fought in the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) and the Irish Confederate Wars (1641-1653). He was known for his military prowess and loyalty to the Irish cause against English rule.

Another notable figure was Archibald McCoy, a Scottish Jacobite soldier born in 1685. He fought for the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in the Jacobite Risings of the early 18th century, including the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.

In the 19th century, the name Mccoy gained recognition in the United States due to the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, a long-standing conflict between two families in West Virginia and Kentucky. One of the key figures in this feud was Randolph McCoy (1825-1914), whose role in the conflict became a part of American folklore.

These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the given name Mccoy, which has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language and has been borne by notable individuals throughout history, particularly those associated with military and political events.