The title may refer to a type of coat with tails that was worn by early 19th century dancing master, so it may date from around that time. The first printed version is from the mid 19th century. This jig serves as a vehicle for Northumbrian sword dancing, and apparently also a fair amount of snobbery about whether it is too simple to be played in a session.
This tune was first published in George Petrie's 1850's collection under the title Tear the Callies. It was popularized around 1975 under the Kesh title by the Bothy Band. Kesh is a village in County Fermanagh, Ireland, near Lough Earne.