McGay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of McGay

What does the name McGay mean?

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McGay family were born. Their name comes 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 McGay family

The surname McGay 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 McGay family

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

McGay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McGay has been spelled Mackie, Mackey, MacHugh and others.

Early Notables of the McGay family

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

Migration of the McGay family to Ireland

Some of the McGay 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 McGay family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first McGays to arrive on North American shores: 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 McGay 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.