The Hatfields of West Virginia were led by William Anderson `` Devil Anse '' Hatfield while the McCoys of Kentucky were under the leadership of Randolph `` Ole Ran ' l '' McCoy .

McCoys . ''

William McCoy , the patriarch of the McCoys , was born in Ireland around 1750 and many of his ancestors hailed from Scotland .

The majority of the Hatfields , although living in Mingo County ( then part of Logan County ) , West Virginia , fought Hostile_encounter on the Confederate side in the American Civil War ; most McCoys , living in Pike County , Kentucky , also fought Hostile_encounter for the Confederates ; with the exception of Asa Harmon McCoy , who fought for the Union .

The Hatfields were more affluent than the McCoys and were well-connected politically .

Devil Anse Hatfield 's timbering operation was a source of wealth for his family , while the McCoys were more of a lower-middle-class family .