Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
LAY
As described in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
LAY. 1. Fr. laie, a lane through a forest. 2. Lay, not clerical ; unlearned. In the latter sense the word is used by B. Jonson, H.R. Le Lay, Du Lay, and De Lay.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic