Find out how popular the first name Maclay has been for the last 2 years (from 1998 to 1999) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Maclay by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Maclay is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1999, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Maclay.

The history of the first name Maclay

The name Maclay is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Laidh, which means "son of the cloverlain." The cloverlain was an important official in medieval Scotland responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order. The name can be traced back to the 12th century in the region of Argyll, where the Clan MacLay had its ancestral lands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Gille-Crist MacLay, who appears in a charter from the early 13th century as a witness to a land grant. In the 14th century, a Donald MacLay is mentioned as a supporter of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

During the 16th century, the MacLays were embroiled in various clan conflicts and feuds with their neighbors, including the Campbells and the MacDonalds. A notable figure from this period was Lachlan Mor MacLay, who led the clan in several battles against the Campbells in the 1590s.

In the 17th century, a prominent member of the clan was Archibald MacLay, a Presbyterian minister who was persecuted for his religious beliefs during the reign of King Charles II. He spent several years imprisoned on the Bass Rock before being released and allowed to emigrate to America in 1685.

One of the most famous individuals named Maclay was William Maclay (1737-1804), a Pennsylvania politician who served as a United States Senator and is considered the first political diarist in American history. His detailed journal provides valuable insights into the early years of the nation's government.

Another notable figure was Archibald Maclay (1776-1840), a lawyer and judge from Pennsylvania who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1833 to 1837. He was also a prominent member of the Anti-Masonic Party, which opposed the influence of Freemasonry in American politics.

In the 19th century, John Maclay (1811-1860) was a Scottish-born Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1854 to 1857. He was also a successful businessman and played a significant role in the development of the city of Toronto.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Maclay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Maclay, please contact us.

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