MacLey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacLey

What does the name MacLey mean?

The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name MacLey. It is derived from the personal name Aodh, which is often Anglicized as Hugh. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Aoidh, which means son of Aodh.

Early Origins of the MacLey family

The surname MacLey was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, 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 Scotland.

Early History of the MacLey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacLey research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1304 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacLey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLey 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. MacLey has appeared as Mackie, Mackey, MacHugh and others.

Early Notables of the MacLey family

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

Migration of the MacLey family to Ireland

Some of the MacLey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacLey family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, Clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The MacLey were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Daniel MacKee settled in Boston in 1651; Neil MacKee settled in Boston in 1652; John Mackey settled in Boston in 1651; Sander Mackey settled in Boston in 1651.

The MacLey 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: Labore
Motto Translation: By labour.