The Irish surname McCabe is of patronymic origin, a name derived from the first name of a father. In this case, the name probably comes from a Norse personal name, as the family is a sept of the MacLeods of Lewis, a clan whose ancestry was Norse. They were descended from Leod, nephew of Magnus, the last Norse king of the Isle of Man, who lived in the thirteenth century. From his two sons, Tormod and Torquil, come respectively the Harris and Lewis branches of the MacLeods. The MacLeods are a Highland clan; their ancestral lands are associated with the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde.
Although originally Scottish, the name is now chiefly identified with Ireland. This came about through migration in the fourteenth century, when the family moved to the Irish kingdoms of Breffni and Oriel, to serve as ``gallowglasses'', or mercenaries, with the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys. However, Scottish records contain many references to the name, one instance being in 1689, when John McKape (McCabe or McRebbb, as his name is also spelled) was sent as a prisoner to Edinburgh Castle. The family is related to many others, also septs of the MacLeods of lewis. They include the MacAulays, MacCallums, MacCorkindales, MacNicholls, MacCaskills and Lewis's. Charles Caldwell McCabe (1836-1906), grandson of a descendent of the gallowglasses, was the American Bishop known during the Civil War as ``chaplain McCabe''.
BLAZON OF ARMS: Vert, a fess wavy between three salmon naiant argent.
TRANSLATION: Vert (green) denotes Industry, Constancy, Fearlessness and Friendship. A fess signifies the Knight's Military Belt. Salmon represent a connection with the sea.
CREST: A demi-griffin segreant.
MOTTO: Aut vincere aut mori (Latin); Bua no Bal (Gaelic).
TRANSLATION: Either to conquer or die.
GAELIC TRANSLATION OF ``MCCABE'': ``Son of the Hooded One''. This being a reference to our rather militaristic past.