Migay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

On the Scottish west coast, the Migay family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the biblical personal name Michael. This name made its way into Scotland after the Norman Conquest in the softened French form Michel.

Early Origins of the Migay family

The surname Migay 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 in the lands of Corryhoul from about the year 1300. Traditionally the Clan is descended from a Michael MacDonald of the branch known as the MacDonalds of Keppoch.

Early History of the Migay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Migay research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1473, 1606 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Migay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migay Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Migay has appeared as Michie, Mitchie, Mitchy, Michy, Mitchey, Michey and others.

Early Notables of the Migay family

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

Migration of the Migay family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Migay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Alexander Michie arrived in America in 1762. John Michey arrived in Jamaica in 1716 and moved to Virginia in the same year.

Contemporary Notables of the name Migay (post 1700) +

Rudolph Joseph Migay (1928-2016), Canadian NHL ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs