STAY
Stay
Stay is a British surname with origins dating back to the medieval period. The name is of Anglo-Saxon descent and is considered to be of locational origin, deriving from various places in England where the family resided. One of the earliest references to the surname Stay is from the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "de Staya."
The surname Stay has multiple possible etymologies. It may have originated from the Old English word "staeg," meaning a slope or hillside, indicating that the early bearers of the name may have lived near such geographical features. Alternatively, Stay could be derived from the Old English word "stow," which means a place, denoting a connection to a specific settlement.
Over the centuries, individuals with the surname Stay have been recorded in various regions across England, with notable concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Essex. The name has evolved in different spellings over time, including Stai, Staye, and Stey, reflecting the changing nature of the English language.
The Stay surname is part of the rich tapestry of British family names, representing the diverse heritage and history of the people who bear it. Today, individuals with the surname Stay can be found across the United Kingdom and beyond, contributing to the continuation of this ancient lineage.
There are approximately 193 people named Stay in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Stay.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Base
- David
- Dennis
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
- Timothy
- William
Female
- Amy
- Carrie
- Claire
- Emma
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Joanna
- Julie
- Katy
- Patricia
- Sonya
- Wendy
- Yvonne