Surname McKay - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Unraveling the McKay Lineage: A Whirlwind Journey from the Highlands to the Diaspora
Delving into the results of my iGENEA DNA test, I journeyed through the rugged landscapes of Scotland, trailing the footprints of my ancestors under the surname McKay. Originating from the Scottish Highlands, this clan of warriors left an indelible mark in history and culture, their spirit resonating as the "son of fire.".
Y. McKay
read moreMcKay: What does the surname McKay mean?
The last name McKay is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "MacAoidh", meaning "son of Aodh". Aodh is an old Gaelic name, originally used to honor the Celtic god of fire and sun. In English, Aodh is often translated to Hugh. Thus, McKay could be interpreted as "son of Hugh". Like many surnames, McKay was initially used to represent familial relationships, likely being first given to the son of a man named Aodh. The name McKay became widespread in the Scottish Highlands and is particularly associated with the counties of Inverness and Sutherland. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Scotland and beyond, following patterns of migration, clan alliances, and the movement of Scottish soldiers. The surname also has a significant presence in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, due to the historic Gaelic connections between Scotland and Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKay: Where does the name McKay come from?
The last name McKay is of Irish and Scottish origin. The Irish McKays were originally part of the MacDhaibheid clan, meaning "son of David," while the Scottish McKays belong to the Highland Clans, specifically Clan MacKay located in the far north of the Scottish Highlands. The name MacKay in Scottish Gaelic is MacAoidh, which translates to "son of fire."
Today, the surname McKay is commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the Scottish Highlands, and also in Northern Ireland due to the historical migration and intermingling of Irish and Scottish clans. However, given the breadth of Scottish and Irish diaspora, McKay is a surname also found around the world, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where many Scottish and Irish people emigrated during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname McKay
The surname McKay is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the Gaelic name "MacAoidh," which means "son of fire." The surname McKay has numerous variations and alternative spellings due to variable phonetic translations and regional influences. These include Mackay, MacKay, McKie, Mackie, and MacCay. In some instances, this surname can also appear as McCoy in Irish translations.
Other less common variations include MacCoy, MacKee, MacKey, MacKye, MacKaig, and M’Kee. Its phonetic variations often bring further complexity to its spelling. Examples of these are MacQuoid, MacQuoide, and even McCoid.
Also, it is not unusual to find slightly altered surnames that are likely to have originated from McKay, such as Makee, M’Kie, and M’Kye.
Moreover, the surname has also been anglicized into various forms like Chase and Morgan. However, these remain disputed and debatable in some genealogical circles.
In terms of its geographical distributions, the surname McKay and its variations can be commonly found in Scotland, particularly in Sutherland and the Hebrides, as well as in Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name McKay
- Ben McKay: Australian professional footballer
- Clayton McKay: Australian film producer
- Dean McKay: Canadian actor
- Don McKay: Canadian poet
- David G. McKay: president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- James McKay: former NHL hockey player
- Jim McKay: American sportscaster and journalist
- John McKay: former head football coach for the USC Trojans
- Neil McKay: British writer
- Scott McKay: American actor
- Shauna McKay: Canadian politician
- Zac McKay: Canadian actor
- Daniel McKay: New Zealand rugby league player
- Ernest McKay: Australian professional rugby league footballer
- Greg McKay: Australian rugby league footballer
- Ian McKay: Canadian historian
- Mike McKay: former Canadian professional wrestler
- Peter McKay: Canadian politician
- Randal McKay: American computer scientist and software engineer
- Robert McKay: Canadian film director