Surname Kay - Meaning and Origin
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An Ancestral Odyssey: Bridging Identity & Heritage Through the iGENEA DNA Test & the Kay Surname
Through the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered the fascinating narrative concealed within my genetics and surname, Kay. The genetic journey delved beyond my known identity, linking me to a rich heritage that shapes my personality and name.
G. Kay
read moreKay: What does the surname Kay mean?
The last name Kay is generally believed to have originated in England and Scotland and be of Celtic or Germanic origin. It is thought to have come from a given name, such as from the old Gaelic ‘Caoí’ (‘gentle’) or the Old German ‘Kai’ (‘victorious reaper’). It may also have been derived from ahabitational name—a name derived from a place-name—such as a place called ‘Kay’ in Lancashire or from a location such as a harbor called ‘Kay’ near Edinburgh.
In each of these cases, the roots of the name Kay likely come from a combination of two elements: ‘Caoí’ or ‘Kai’ and a geographical reference. The name had some regional variations over the centuries, and modern variants include Key, Kaye, and Keay.
Kay has often been used as a name for a child who is expected to bring good fortune or success. As a surname, Kay is associated with many notable people, including authors Kay Redfield Jamison and Ethel Kay-Shuttleworth; actors Keir Dullea and Leslie Kay; and musicians Kay Starr, Jools Holland, and Miles Kane. The name also has a deep history in English literature, associated with a band of knights in Arthurian legend and with a town in William Wordsworth’s poem, The Idiot Boy.
Today, the name Kay appears to be quite popular in the United States, having risen in popularity more than tenfold since 1930. It is the 509th most popular surname in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKay: Where does the name Kay come from?
The last name Kay is quite common throughout the world today, but it is most common in the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other parts of the British Isles. It is of English or Scottish origin and was originally a nickname for someone with curly hair, or a person who made and sold caskets.
In the United States, the last name Kay is likely the eighteenth most common surname, according to the 2020 US Census, with more than 200,000 people holding the name. The majority of people who carry the Kay surname live in the Midwest and Southern states, including Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan.
In Great Britain, Kay is the fifty-ninth most common surname, accounting for over 95,000 people, particularly in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. It is also the fourth most common surname in Australia, where more than 35,000 people are estimated to hold the name.
Overall, the last name Kay is a fairly commonly-occurring name that is found all around the world. It is likely derived from English or Scottish origins and continues to be popular within the English-speaking nations of the world today.
Variations of the surname Kay
The surname Kay is said to have many different variants, spellings, and even surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants are Keay, Kaye, K, Kaims, Ka’im, Ka’im, Ka’ym, Ke, Kee, Keigh, Keg, Key, Kheim, Khagen, and Khome. It is also sometimes spelled as Cai, Cail, Cayle, Ka, Ka’ay, Ka’ayle, Kab, Kail, Kaile, Kaim, Kain, Kaine, Kal, Kale, Kalle, Keae, Keeay, and Keeg. The spelling may also vary according to the country of origin with some countries having their own version of the spelling.
The surnames of the same origin as Kay include the Irish Caffrey, the Welsh Llewelyn, the Scottish MacKane, the English Haigh, the German Kaefer, the Scandinavian Kirk, the French Caillot, and the Dutch Kain.
These are just some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Kay. It is important to note that spelling can often be determined by the country of origin, culture, and dialect of the people who have the surname Kay.
Famous people with the name Kay
- Arthur Kay: British musician who founded the band The King Pins and later worked with groups such as the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Yardbirds.
- John Kay: German-born Canadian musician best known as a founding member of the band Steppenwolf.
- Jonathan Kay: Canadian journalist and editor-in-chief of The Walrus magazine.
- Richard Kay: South African novelist and playwright.
- Sarah Kay: American poet and spoken-word artist.
- Tom Kay: British actor and comedian best known for his roles in Blackadder and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- Tony Kay: English footballer who played for Everton in the 1960s and 70s.
- David Kay: British nuclear scientist and former advisor to US and UK governments.
- Robin Kay: Canadian fashion designer and founder of the Fashion Design Council of Canada.
- Roxana Kay Robinson: American journalist and author, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Todd Kay: American video game designer, writer, and musician.
- Steve Kay: American sportscaster, covering college basketball for Fox Sports and Pac-12 Network.
- Al Kay: American media executive and talent manager.
- Dave Kay: American hobbyist turned professional photographer, specializing in landscape photography.
- Gary Kay: American sound designer and composer, best known for contributing music to various films and television series.
- Janice Kay: British mathematician and chemist, professor of physical chemistry at the University of York.
- Kristen Kay: American television news anchor and co-host of Fox 5 San Diego.
- Richard Kay: British judge and the Deputy Senior District Judge to the Principal Registry of the Family Division.
- Stephen Kay: American film and television director, most known for his work on NCIS.
- Yusef Kay: American actor, currently appearing as K’yun Noor in the ABC series For Life.