McKay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the McKay family lived. The name McKay comes from the personal name Aodh, a cognate of Hugh. The Gaelic form of the name is usually Mac Aoidh and in Inverness, the Gaelic form of the name McKay is Mac Ai.

"Nothing certain is known of the origin of the northern Mackays beyond the fact that they were early connected with Moray, and may have been a part of the ancient Clann Morgunn. The Inverness-shire Mackays are usually called in Gaelic Mac Ai, that is, MacDhai, or Davidson; they formed a branch of Clan Chattan." 1

Early Origins of the McKay family

The surname McKay was first found in Sutherland (Gaelic: Cataibh), a former county in northern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Highland, where early records show that Gilcrest M'Ay, forefather of the MacKay family of Ugadale, made a payment to the constable of Tarbert in 1326. It is claimed that the Clan is descended from the royal house of MacEth.

Early History of the McKay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKay research. Another 299 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1408, 1411, 1429, 1506, 1575, 1640, 1689, 1692, 1726, 1873, 1890 and 1940 are included under the topic Early McKay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKay Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. McKay has been spelled MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.

Early Notables of the McKay family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Hugh Mackay (c. 1640-1692), Scottish general, Major-General Commanding in Chief in Scotland in 1689, killed at the Battle of Steinkeerke; and...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKay World Ranking

In the United States, the name McKay is the 849th most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name McKay is ranked the 182nd most popular surname with an estimated 20,028 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name McKay is the 202nd popular surname with an estimated 16,312 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks McKay as 86th with 4,352 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks McKay as 423rd with 15,295 people. 6

Migration of the McKay family to Ireland

Some of the McKay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 133 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McKay migration to the United States +

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name McKay:

McKay Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
McKay Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
McKay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McKay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
McKay Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

McKay migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McKay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

McKay migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McKay Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McKay (post 1700) +


The McKay 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: Manu forti
Motto Translation: With a strong hand.


Suggested Readings for the name McKay +
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