MacAy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of MacAy

What does the name MacAy mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the MacAy family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the given name Ian or John. John is the most common personal name in the Highlands. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Iain.

Early Origins of the MacAy family

The surname MacAy was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacAy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacAy research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1340, 1618, 1667, 1717, 1777, 1808, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacAy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacAy Spelling Variations

In various documents MacAy has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacIan, MacAne, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain and others.

Early Notables of the MacAy family

Archibald McKain (1717-1777), Scottish Shoemaker and Burgess of Elgin, Morayshire, who became the 15th Chief of MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Also of note was Thomas M'kean of Delaware, one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence. John Canne (d. 1667?), was an English divine and printer and "may...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacAy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacAy family to Ireland

Some of the MacAy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacAy migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacAy or a variant listed above:

MacAy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Angus MaCay, aged 25, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

The MacAy 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: In hope I byde