Glenay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Glenay come from the ancient Scottish tribe known as the Dalriadans. They lived along the rugged west coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands and used the name to indicate a person who lived in Gleney, or Glennie, in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Glennie is a surname from the region around Aberdeen, and it was originally born by generations of tenant farmers in the districts of both Dee and Don. The surname Glennie, which was originally derived from Gaelic "gleann" which means "valley", was also given to someone who resided near a valley.

Early Origins of the Glenay family

The surname Glenay was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Glenay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glenay research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Glenay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glenay Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Glenay have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Glennie, Gleny, Glen, Glenney, Glenning, Glenny and many more.

Early Notables of the Glenay family

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

Migration of the Glenay family to Ireland

Some of the Glenay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Glenay family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Glenay were among those contributors: John Glenney who settled in Philadelphia in 1856; followed by Michael and Robert; Bridget, Mary, and Patrick Glenning arrived in New York in 1804; Alexander Glenny arrived in Philadelphia in 1876.