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McClay is a Scottish surname. It is a Highland’s adaption of the
Irish Gaelic Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was the ...
''Mac Duinnshléibhe'' (Anglicised
Donlevy Donlevy is a firstname and surname of Irish origin. Also spelt as MacDonlevy, Donleavy, Dunleavy, MacAleavey, and McAlevey, it derives from the Irish ''Mac Duinnshléibhe'', meaning "son of Donn of the mountain". ''Ó Duinnshléibhe'' is a variant ...
) 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 Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
kingdom of
Ulaid Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or Ulaidh (Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include Ulidia, which is the Latin form of Ulaid, and in ...
fell to
John de Courcy {{Infobox noble , image = Sir John de Courcy (1150-1219).jpg , caption = , alt = , more = no , succession = , reign = , predecessor = , successor = , ...
in 1177, many of the MacDonlevy dynasty sought asylum in the
Highlands of Scotland The Highlands ( sco, the Hielands; gd, a’ Ghàidhealtachd , 'the place of the Gaels') is a historical region of Scotland. Culturally, the Highlands and the Lowlands diverged from the Late Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Sco ...
. Their MacDonlevy surname evolved there first to Maconlea, also, MacConloy, McCloy and, then, to MacALeavy, MacAlea, MacLea, MacLay, McClay and, even, Leevy,
Levy (surname) Levy or Lévy is almost always a surname of Hebrew origin. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew meaning "joining". Another spelling of the surname—among multiple other spellings—is Levi (surname), Levi or Lévi. The surname usually refers ...
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 (medical) ''Hirudo medicinalis'', the European medicinal leech, is one of several species of leeches used as "medicinal leeches". Other species of ''Hirudo'' sometimes also used as medicinal leeches include '' H. orientalis'', ''H. troctina'', and '' H. ...
was in
Gaelic Ireland Gaelic Ireland ( ga, Éire Ghaelach) was the Gaelic political and social order, and associated culture, that existed in Ireland from the late prehistoric era until the early 17th century. It comprised the whole island before Anglo-Normans co ...
, Scotland and elsewhere for millennium a pervasive medical therapy. The MacDonlevy were also one of Ireland’s ancient hereditary medical families.Susan Wilkinson, "Early Medical Education in Ireland", ''Irish Migration Studies in Latin America'', Vol. 6, No. 3 (November 2008) Notable people with the surname include: * Allen McClay (1932–January 2010), British businessman *
Andy McClay Andrew McClay (born 26 November 1972) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Rutherglen Glencairn. Career McClay began his career with junior side Maryhill. He spent six seasons at Lochburn Park. In the summer of 1998, he was part of the Junio ...
(born 1972), Scottish footballer *
Roger McClay Roger Neville McClay, QSO (born 6 February 1945) is a former New Zealand politician. In 2010 he was convicted for defrauding two charities. Early life McClay was born in 1945. He attended secondary school at Wesley College, Auckland. Member o ...
(born 1945), New Zealand politician *
Ryan McClay Ryan McClay (August 6, 1981 ) is an American lacrosse player. He plays defense for the New Jersey Pride in Major League Lacrosse since he was drafted by the team in the first round in the 2003 college draft. He played his college lacrosse at Co ...
(born 1981), American lacrosse player *
Todd McClay Todd Michael McClay (born 22 November 1968) is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He is the Member of Parliament for Rotorua. He was previously an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union. Early life McClay ...
(born 1968), New Zealand politician * Wilfred M. McClay, American historian *
Will McClay Will McClay (born October 13, 1966) is vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys. Previously, he was head coach of the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. Early life McClay was born on October 13, 1966 in Memphis, Tenn ...
(born 1966), American footballer and coach


See also

Clan McLea The Clan MacLea is a Highland Scottish clan, which was traditionally located in the district of Lorn in Argyll, Scotland, and is seated on the Isle of Lismore. There is a tradition of some MacLeas Anglicising their names to Livingstone, thus ...


References

{{surname Surnames of Scottish origin