CLAY
Clay
Clay is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "claeg," meaning clay or earth. The surname is believed to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near clay soil or as an occupational name for a worker who used clay, such as a potter or brickmaker.
The Clay surname has been prominent in British history, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One of the most famous figures with the surname was Henry Clay (1777–1852), an American statesman known as the "Great Compromiser" for his efforts to resolve disputes between the North and South before the American Civil War.
In the United Kingdom, the Clay surname can be found throughout the country, with concentrations in regions such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. The name has spread to other English-speaking countries through immigration, particularly to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Today, the Clay surname continues to be passed down through generations, connecting individuals to their ancestral roots and heritage. It remains a common and recognisable surname in the British Isles and beyond.
There are approximately 10,489 people named Clay in the UK. That makes it the 883rd most common surname in Britain. Around 161 in a million people in Britain are named Clay.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Angela
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.