MCCLAY
Also recorded as Mc Clay, Mcclay
McClay
Origin and Meaning McClay is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Laoi," meaning "son of Louis." The name can also be spelled as McLay or MacClay.
History The McClay surname has roots in both Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, the name is most commonly found in the Lowlands, particularly in the Glasgow area. The Irish McClay families are mainly located in County Tyrone and County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Notable Individuals
- Dermot McClay (b. 1955): Irish novelist known for his works exploring themes of identity and history in Northern Ireland.
- Lucy McClay (b. 1980): Scottish artist renowned for her vibrant landscape paintings inspired by the Scottish Highlands.
- Malcolm McClay (1922–2008): British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for a constituency in the North of England.
Variants Variants of the McClay surname include McLay, MacClay, MacCloy, and Macloy. These variations can be attributed to different transcription methods and regional differences in pronunciation.
There are approximately 447 people named McClay in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named McClay.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Gareth
- James
- John
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Florencia
- Helen
- Janice
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nadine
- Roslyn
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.