3,049 Global MCCAY Family Members

MCCAY Family History

Recorded in many forms including MacKay, McCay, McKay, Mackey, MacHugh, Makee, and Makey, this is a surname which can be either Irish or Scottish. It derives from the pre 10th century Old Gaelic name MacAodh, with the prefix "Mac" indicating "son of", plus the personal name "Aodh" meaning "fire". It was originally the name of an early pagan god. Traditionally Gaelic family names are taken from the heads of tribes or from some illustrious warrior, and are usually prefixed. Sometimes in Ireland this is by O', meaning grandson or male descendant of, or in both Scotland and Ireland Mac, as above.