McCay

McCay is a surname, and occasionally a given name, with origins in Scotland. It is an anglicized variant of the Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning “son of Aodh.” The spelling McCay is one of several related forms, including MacKay, Mackay, and McKay, reflecting different regional pronunciations and record-keeping practices.

Historically, the MacAoidh/Mackay name is associated with the Scottish Highlands and Islands; variants spread through migration to Ulster and to other parts of the British Isles, and later to North America and beyond through emigration. In modern times, people named McCay are found worldwide, with concentrations in North America and the United Kingdom.

Notable individuals with the surname include Winsor McCay (1869–1934), an American cartoonist and animator best known for the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland and for early animated films such as Gertie the Dinosaur. His work is recognized for advancing the early art of animation and comic storytelling.

Beyond Winsor McCay, bearers of the name have contributed to various public and professional fields; however, no other single figure with the surname McCay has achieved the same level of historical prominence. The name remains a part of the broader family of MacKay/Mackay variants that trace their roots to Gaelic origins in Scotland.