Maclay

Patronymic

Meaning

Son of Leod or Leay, a Norse personal name.

Etymology

The 'Mac-' prefix means 'son of' in Scottish Gaelic, with Lay or Leod being a Norse name meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.' This reflects Norse influence in the Scottish Hebrides.

About the Maclay Surname

A Scottish patronymic surname with Norse-Gaelic origins, particularly associated with the Hebridean islands. The name reflects the historical cultural mixing in the Scottish islands.

Distribution

Scotland, particularly the Hebrides, with diaspora in North America.

Notable Bearers

William Maclay (18th-century Scottish politician)