What does the surname Maclay mean?

The surname Maclay means "Son of Leod or Leay, a Norse personal name.". It is of Scottish Gaelic origin.

How common is the Maclay surname?

There are approximately 2,000 people with the surname Maclay in the United States.

Are there Maclay soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 15 soldiers with the Maclay surname appear in Civil War records.

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 & Frequency

Estimated 2,000 bearers in the United States #2,771 most common surname

Rare Common

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

Maclay Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Maclay Surname

H. Maclay

Quick Facts

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: 15th century Scotland
Estimated Bearers: 2,000

War Records

15 soldiers with the Maclay surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →