Show ContentsLakey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The age-old Scottish surname Lakey was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people. The Lakey family lived at Leckie in the county of Stirlingshire. The place name is derived from the Gaelic leac, or "flagstone," and the suffix -ach, which means "place."

Early Origins of the Lakey family

The surname Lakey was first found in the shires of Dumbarton and Stirling, derived from the barony of Leckie in the parish of Gargunnock, Stirlingshire. The first on record was "Murdoch Leckie [who] received a grant of two fourth parts of Bathewnn and Altremony from Robert III." [1] Robert III, John Stewart, was King of Scots from 1390 to his death in 1406. From this early recording, we must move to the 16th and 17th centuries to find the next records. "David Lekky was denounced [as a] rebel in 1537, Janet Laiky appears in Cammok, parish of Glenylla, 1599, and Euphemia Laikie in Carneleithe, 1694." [1]

"The surname appears as Lecque among the Scots Guards in France, and the Leckies of Antrim and Carlow in Ireland are of Scottish descent. In Forman's heraldic MS. the name is spelled Leuke. The individual who had a charter of the lands of Leckie in the reign of David II was a descendant of Corc, brother of Maldouen, third Earl of Lennox." [1]

Early History of the Lakey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lakey research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1380, 1390, 1406, 1537, 1784, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lakey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lakey Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Lakey has been spelled Leckie, Leck, Leckey, Lecky, Lackey, Lackie, Lachey, Lakey and many more.

Early Notables of the Lakey family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lakey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lakey Ranking

In the United States, the name Lakey is the 7,267th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [2]

Ireland Migration of the Lakey family to Ireland

Some of the Lakey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Lakey migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

Lakey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Amy A. Lakey, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1906
  • Harry Lakey, aged 38, who landed in America from Wisbeck, England, in 1907
  • Janett B. Lakey, aged 49, who landed in America, in 1908
  • Christopher Lakey Lakey, aged 51, who immigrated to America from Wallsend on Tyne, England, in 1920
  • James Lakey, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Lakey (post 1700) +

  • Alice Lakey (1857-1935), American activist in the Pure Food Movement, instrumental in obtaining passage of the federal Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
  • Todd Lakey, American politician from Portland, Oregon, Member of the Idaho Senate (2012-)
  • George Lakey (b. 1937), American activist, sociologist, and writer
  • Claude Roger Lakey (1910-1990), American saxophonist, trumpeter, and arranger who performed with Glenn Miller, Harry James, Frankie Laine, Bobby Sherwood, Gene Krupa and many more
  • Andy Lakey (1959-2012), American artist, best known for his 2000 paintings of angels, created between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999
  • Gabriel Isaac Lakey (b. 1996), American film director, cinematographer, and screenwriter from Portland, Oregon
  • Thomas Lakey (1874-1932), English professional footballer who played as a winger
  • Leanne Lakey (b. 1978), British actress, known for playing Belinda Peacock in EastEnders and Charlotte Day in Family Affairs
  • Edwin Lakey, Canadian Anglican archbishop of Ontario


The Lakey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtutis praemium
Motto Translation: Virtues reward


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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