Show ContentsLokay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Scotland, Lokay was a Strathclyde-Briton name for someone who lived in the village of Logie in Fifeshire. "This parish derives its name from the situation of its church in a hollow surrounded by hills, of which that term in the Gaelic language is descriptive. Logie derives its name from the Gaelic word lag or laggie, denoting "low or flat ground," the lands consisting principally of an extensive tract of perfectly level country. " 1

Early Origins of the Lokay family

The surname Lokay was first found in Fife where "Master John de Logy, canon of Dunkeld, appears in 1271. William de Logyn and Malise de Logins were Scots prisoners of war taken at Dunbar, 1296. Wauter de Logy of Fife rendered homage, 1296. The earliest notice of the family of Logy of Logy is in 1320, when Sir John of Logy is mentioned as one of the conspirators against Robert the Bruce. " 2

The year 1296 was a very turbulent time in Scotland. It was the year that King Edward I of England invaded and those who "rendered homage" to Edward were able to retain their lands, while those who did not were either killed or lost them.

Early History of the Lokay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lokay research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1321, 1328, 1396, 1405, 1424, 1457, 1700, 1765 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lokay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lokay Spelling Variations

Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of spelling variations in Scottish names. Lokay has been spelled Logie, Loggie, Logy, Logue and others.

Early Notables of the Lokay family

More information is included under the topic Early Lokay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Lokay family to Ireland

Some of the Lokay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Lokay migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them:

Lokay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Maria Lokay, who arrived at New York, NY in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Lokay (post 1700) +

  • Justin Lokay, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 2008 3


The Lokay 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: Tam marte quam arte
Motto Translation: As much by strength as by art.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook