Surname MacClay - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacClay: What does the surname MacClay mean?
The surname MacClay is of Irish origin and it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Cléirigh. The prefix 'Mac' means 'son of', while 'Cléirigh' refers to 'a clerk' or 'cleric,' generally indicating a person linked to religious duties or clerical work. Therefore, MacClay can be roughly interpreted as 'son of the cleric'. This name belongs to an ancient Irish family that traces back to the Middle Ages. Variations of this surname include MacLear, MacLeer, and MacCleary. Like many surnames, geographical relocations, regional dialects and anglicization led to the creation of these variations. So, MacClay reflects a family history of religious or clerical professions and is a symbol of Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacClay: Where does the name MacClay come from?
The surname MacClay is of Scottish Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Fhleisteir" which translates to "son of the arrow maker". Following the traditional Gaelic pattern, “Mac” denotes “son of”, hence it points to a family history of craftsmanship specifically related to arrow making.
It's important to note that the name is often found in various forms due to regional variations and phonetic spelling, with examples including McClay, McLea, McClay and others. The MacClay surname is most common in Northern Ireland and Scotland, particularly around Glasgow. People with the MacClay surname also migrated to other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it may still be encountered today. Its distribution remains scattered and it's not especially densely concentrated in any one region today.
The surname shares its Scottish Gaelic origin with many other surnames beginning with "Mac" such as MacDonald, MacDougal, etc., underlining the rich history and cultural tradition of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacClay
The surname MacClay is of Scottish origin and is associated with clan Macleay. The name itself derives from the Gaelic "Mac an Leigh", meaning "son of the physician". Various spellings, variants and equivalents of MacClay that have arisen over centuries include MacLeod, MacLeay, MacLay, McClay, McClee, MacClee, Macleigh, McCleay, Maclea, MacLea and MacLey.
You may also find the name with the prefixes "Mc" and "M' " which are simply other forms of the Gaelic "Mac", representing the "son of" meaning. Thus, spellings such as McCleay, McClea, and McCley are also common.
In the transformation and Anglicization process, many names lost 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix and became Clay, Cleigh, or Cleay. These simple variants are also related to the surname MacClay.
It's important to note though, that spelling variations often occurred due to errors in transcription, so different spellings of the same surname may not necessarily mean they come from the same origin. Additionally, as the name spread throughout different regions and countries, the pronunciation and hence the spelling may vary greatly.
Famous people with the name MacClay
- Gordon MacClay: A Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Calum MacClay: A Scottish singer-songwriter and musician.
- Edwin MacClay: A British-American-Canadian actor.
- Paulette MacClay: An American notable physician.
- Ryan MacClay: An American professional golfer.
- Nate MacClay: An American professional rally driver.
- Barbara MacClay: A British author and travel writer.
- Stan MacClay: An American country singer.
- Austen MacClay: An Australian-born entertainer, songwriter and comedian.
- Cassie MacClay: A Canadian-born writer, producer and director of photography.
- Rory MacClay: An award-winning American musician.
- Rock MacClay: A Canadian rock singer.
- David MacClay: A British-born entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Emma MacClay: A British radio and television presenter, voice artist and actor.
- Chelsea MacClay: An English fashion designer and businesswoman.
- Ash MacClay: An English musician, songwriter and music producer.
- Robert MacClay: An American professional ice hockey player.
- John MacClay: A Scottish poet and playwright.
- James MacClay: An English music composer and producer.
- Liam MacClay: A Canadian professional skateboarder and DJ.