McClay
McClay is a Scottish surname. It is a Highland’s adaption of the Irish Gaelic Mac Duinnshléibhe where the Scots aspirated the “D” and then dropped the final “e” from the Irish language form of the name.
When the north-eastern Irish kingdom of Ulaid fell to John de Courcy in 1177, many of the MacDonlevy dynasty sought asylum in the Highlands of Scotland. Their MacDonlevy surname evolved there first to Maconlea, also, MacConloy, McCloy and, then, to MacALeavy, MacAlea, MacLea, MacLay, McClay and, even, Leevy, Levy and Leavy. Some sources contend that the surname McClay, like the surname MacKinley, arises instead from a Gaelic language nickname given the MacDonlevy in both the Scottish Highlands and elsewhere. That nickname is Mac an Leigh, translating to English as leech, but meaning a physician. Leeching was in Gaelic Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere for millennium a pervasive medical therapy. The MacDonlevy were also one of Ireland’s ancient hereditary medical families. Notable people with the surname include:
- Allen McClay, British businessman
- Andy McClay, Scottish footballer
- Roger McClay, New Zealand politician
- Ryan McClay, American lacrosse player
- Todd McClay, New Zealand politician
- Wilfred M. McClay, American historian
- Will McClay, American footballer and coach
