Shays

The surname SHAYS originated in Ireland, with the earliest known records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old Irish Gaelic word "saidh," meaning "wise" or "learned." The name was initially found in counties such as Cork, Kerry, and Limerick.

One of the earliest documented references to the SHAYS surname is in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled by monks in the 12th century. The annals mention a "Muircheartach Ua Saidhi" (Muircheartach O'Shays) in an entry dated 1092.

The SHAYS name also appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a celebrated collection of medieval Irish chronicles. An entry from the year 1170 records the death of "Donnsleibhe Ua Saidhe" (Donnsleibhe O'Shays), described as a distinguished poet and historian.

In the 16th century, the anglicized spelling "SHAYS" began to appear more frequently. One notable figure from this period was Hugh SHAYS (c. 1540 – 1600), an Irish-born soldier who served in the English army during the Nine Years' War in Ireland.

During the 17th century, the SHAYS surname spread beyond Ireland as many families emigrated to other parts of Europe and the Americas. One prominent individual was Daniel SHAYS (1747 – 1825), an American revolutionary war veteran and leader of the Shays' Rebellion, an armed uprising against the government of Massachusetts in 1786-1787.

In the 18th century, the SHAYS name was also found in Scotland, where the spelling variations "SHAW" and "SHAWES" were common. One notable figure was Sir James SHAW (1764 – 1843), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who co-founded the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.

As the SHAYS surname continued to disperse across the globe in the 19th century, it retained its strong association with Ireland. One notable bearer of the name was Patrick SHAYS (1803 – 1871), an Irish-born Catholic priest who served as the first Bishop of Hartford, Connecticut.