Hays

Hays is a surname and a place name that appears in various countries. As a toponym, it designates multiple locations and administrative regions, while as a surname it is found among individuals across different fields. The term is also used by a number of organizations and entities.

In the United States, Hays is most prominently associated with Hays, Kansas, a city that serves as the county seat of Ellis County and is known for Fort Hays State University. Hays County is a central Texas county whose county seat is San Marcos. The name is used for other smaller communities and geographic features in North America as well, reflecting historical settlement patterns.

As a surname, Hays has been borne by several notable figures. Charles Melville Hays (1856–1912) was an American railroad executive and a prominent figure connected to the White Star Line; he died in the Titanic disaster. Ira Hayes (1923–1955) was a Native American Marine renowned for his role in the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima during World War II.

Hays plc is a British recruitment company established in 1968, listed on the London Stock Exchange. It operates internationally, providing staffing and recruitment services across various sectors.

Overall, Hays encompasses geographic, genealogical, and corporate references, with its usage spanning places in North America, individuals who have carried the surname, and modern organizations.