Summary

The surname KAY is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English personal name 'Kay(e)', which was ultimately derived from the Old Welsh name 'Cai'. This surname has a long history and can be traced back to medieval times. It is often found in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
There are
24337
Kays in the USA
Kay is the
1467th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Kay

TomKay

Tom Kay is a British entrepreneur and the founder of the outdoor clothing brand Finisterre.

JohnKay

John Kay is a Scottish musician and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the rock band Steppenwolf.

AlanKay

Alan Kay is an American computer scientist who is known for his pioneering work on object-oriented programming and the graphical user interface.

KayFrancis

Kay Francis was an American actress and one of the most popular stars of the 1930s, known for her glamorous and sophisticated screen persona.

KayBoyle

Kay Boyle was an American writer and political activist, known for her contributions to modernist literature and her involvement in social justice causes.

KayWalsh

Kay Walsh was a British actress and dancer, known for her roles in films such as 'Oliver Twist' and 'The Small Back Room.'

KaySage

Kay Sage was an American surrealist artist, known for her dreamlike paintings that often featured architectural structures and mysterious landscapes.

HerbertKay

Herbert Kay was an American inventor and entrepreneur, best known for inventing the Kay Electric Guitar and founding the Kay Musical Instrument Company.

KayBailey

Kay Bailey Hutchison is an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1993 to 2013.

KayceeRice

Kaycee Rice is an American dancer and choreographer, known for her appearances on the reality competition show 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

Kay Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Kay' is of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Kái' or from the Middle English word 'kay,' meaning 'a jackdaw.' It was likely used as a nickname for someone with dark hair or a chattering nature.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Kay' is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and Northern England. It is also found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Kay' include 'Kaye' and 'Cay.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Kay' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, particularly during periods of Scottish and English migration and colonization.