McKay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of McKay

What does the name McKay mean?

The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the McKay family lived. The name McKay comes from the personal name Aodh, a cognate of Hugh. The Gaelic form of the name is usually Mac Aoidh and in Inverness, the Gaelic form of the name McKay is Mac Ai.

"Nothing certain is known of the origin of the northern Mackays beyond the fact that they were early connected with Moray, and may have been a part of the ancient Clann Morgunn. The Inverness-shire Mackays are usually called in Gaelic Mac Ai, that is, MacDhai, or Davidson; they formed a branch of Clan Chattan." 1

McKay Coat of Arms Creation

When Queen Mary was at Inverness, Mackay of Farr disregarded her summons to appear before her. Because of this a commission was granted to the Earl of Sutherland to invade the lands of Strathnaver. He besieged Castle Borve, which was held by a small force of twenty reso-lute clansmen, but the castle was taken and demolished. (Canon were used for the first time in the North of Scotland in this siege). It is said that when Mackay was asked by the Earl of Sutherland to exhibit his charter for his lands he put his hand, clasping a dirk, upon the table and exclaimed "Lamh laidir," the Latin of which, "mane forti" (with a strong hand), has been the motto of the clan ever since. 2

Early Origins of the McKay family

The surname McKay was first found in Sutherland (Gaelic: Cataibh), a former county in northern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Highland, where early records show that Gilcrest M'Ay, forefather of the MacKay family of Ugadale, made a payment to the constable of Tarbert in 1326. It is claimed that the Clan is descended from the royal house of MacEth.

Early History of the McKay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKay research. Another 299 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1408, 1411, 1429, 1506, 1575, 1640, 1689, 1692, 1726, 1873, 1890 and 1940 are included under the topic Early McKay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKay Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. McKay has been spelled MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.

Early Notables of the McKay family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Hugh Mackay (c. 1640-1692), Scottish general, Major-General Commanding in Chief in Scotland in 1689, killed at the Battle of Steinkeerke; and...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKay World Ranking

In the United States, the name McKay is the 849^th most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name McKay is ranked the 182^nd most popular surname with an estimated 20,028 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name McKay is the 202^nd popular surname with an estimated 16,312 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks McKay as 86^th with 4,352 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks McKay as 423^rd with 15,295 people. 7

Migration of the McKay family to Ireland

Some of the McKay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 133 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKay migration to the United States +

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name McKay:

McKay Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Melashus McKay, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" 8

McKay Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary McKay, who landed in New York in 1738 8
Merran McKay, who landed in New York in 1739 8
Florence McKay, who arrived in New York in 1739 8
Agnes McKay, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1739 8
Duncan McKay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1740 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nancy McKay, aged 40, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 8
Alexander McKay, aged 21, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 8
Bernard McKay, who arrived in America in 1811 8
Edward McKay, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 8
Eliza McKay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alexander, Christopher and Christian McKay, who, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Roderick McKay, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex McKay, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Catherine McKay, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
Catherine McKay, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKay Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ann McKay, aged 12, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Archibald McKay, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Bara McKay, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Donald McKay, aged 17, who landed in Red River, Canada in 1811
Elizabeth McKay, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKay migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McKay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James McKay, British Convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. James McKay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John McKay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Mr. Duncan McKay, British convict who was convicted in Gibraltar for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William McKay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKay migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McKay Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Donald McKAY, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
Henry McKAY, who landed in Foveaux Straits, New Zealand in 1840
John McKAY, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenhein
Thomas McKAY, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
John McKay, aged 52, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McKay (post 1700) +

Donald McKay (1810-1880), American shipbuilder, born in Nova Scotia, designer of many of the largest ships of his era
Rick McKay (1961-2018), American filmmaker, best known for his work on Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Raymond T. McKay (1925-1993), American labor leader, President of American Maritime Officers (1957-1993)
Jim McKay, American film and television director, producer and writer
Cheryl McKay, American author and screenwriter
Cody Dean McKay (b. 1974), American former Major League Baseball catcher
James Douglas McKay (1893-1959), twenty-fifth Governor of Oregon
Claude McKay (1889-1948), American poet and novelist, born in Jamaica, who became a major figure of the Harlem Renaissance
George Cadogan Gardner McKay (1932-2001), American actor and writer
Jim McKay (b. 1921), American television sports journalist
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McKay family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Ms. Ms. Desiree McKay (d. 1985), American Flight attendant from New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 13

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Maggie McKay (1855-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Mr. Lloyd McKay (1900-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Allan Murdoch McKay (1921-1941), Australian Leading Supply Assistant from Yarraman, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 15

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Edward Mckay, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

North Sea Flood

James Alexander McKay, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Victoria steamboat disaster

Gertrude McKay, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Vimy Ridge

George Logan McKay (1891-1917), Canadian farmer, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge August 1917

McKay Motto and War Cry +

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: Manu forti
Motto Translation: With a strong hand.
War Cry: "Bratach Bhan," or White Banner.
War Cry Description: The badge of the clan is reed grass (in Gaelic cuilc)

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html