McKay

McKay is a surname and, less commonly, a given name of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning “son of Aodh,” with Aodh as a Gaelic personal name cognate with Hugh. The name is associated with Clan Mackay, a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional lands lie in the far north of Scotland, including Caithness and Sutherland.

The spelling McKay is one of several Anglicizations of Mac Aoidh; variants include MacKay, Mackay, Mackie, and McKaye. The form arose through English transcription of Gaelic names and later standardization. The name spread through Scottish emigration and is now common in many English-speaking countries.

As a surname, McKay is widely distributed in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting historical migration from Scotland. It is used to designate families that may or may not be related to the historical Clan Mackay.

McKay is also used, though less frequently, as a given name, typically for boys. In addition to personal names, the term appears in place names and institutions in English-speaking regions, reflecting its cultural and historical associations.