Michay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Michay

What does the name Michay mean?

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Michay is the biblical personal name Michael. This name made its way into Scotland after the Norman Conquest in the softened French form Michel.

Early Origins of the Michay family

The surname Michay was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat in the lands of Corryhoul from about the year 1300. Traditionally the Clan is descended from a Michael MacDonald of the branch known as the MacDonalds of Keppoch.

Early History of the Michay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Michay research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1473, 1606 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Michay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Michay Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Michay has appeared as Michie, Mitchie, Mitchy, Michy, Mitchey, Michey and others.

Early Notables of the Michay family

More information is included under the topic Early Michay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Michay family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Michay were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Alexander Michie arrived in America in 1762. John Michey arrived in Jamaica in 1716 and moved to Virginia in the same year.