Surname Hays - Meaning and Origin

Hays: What does the surname Hays mean?

The surname Hays is of English and Scottish origin and derives from the medieval given name Hay, itself a derivative of the Old English personal name Hæg, which means "fenced area". In Scotland, the ancestral seat of the Hays family is at Erroll, near Perth. Many versions of the surname Hays exist, with the most common alternative spellings being Hay, Hayes, and Haye. The name is often associated with persons who lived near a hedge or an enclosure, denoting a geographical, topographical, or occupational origin. In medieval times, a hedge often served the purpose of a boundary marker, so anyone residing or working near a significant hedge would have been known as "Hay" or "Hays". It should also be noted that Hay or Hays could also refer to a keeper or cultivator of such enclosures. Over time, the name spread to other parts of the British Isles, and later to other parts of the world through emigration.

Hays: Where does the name Hays come from?

The surname Hays is of English and Scottish origin. It primarily derives from the Norman personal name "Hai" which means "hedge" or "enclosure." It is also derived from the Old English word "hæs" which means "brush-wood" or "under-wood." In Scotland, the surname is associated with a powerful Scottish clan, known as Clan Hay, whose name originated from the place named Hay in Normandy.

Today, the name is quite common in the United States, particularly in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. Other countries where the surname is common include England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite its origins, it is less common in France today. It is worth noting that in different regions, the name may have variations in its spelling including Hayes, Hay, Haye, Hey, and Heyes. It's also commonly used in various anglicized forms in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Hays

The surname Hays can take different spellings based on geographic location, regional dialects and historic translation. Variants or similar surnames include Hayes, Hay, Haze, Hayse, Haynes, Haigh, and Heyes, among others.

This surname has different roots in English, Scottish, and Irish genealogy, each with slightly different spellings and meanings. For instance, in Scotland, it may originate from the Gaelic name "MacGaraidh" which has been Anglicized as "MacHays." Additionally, it could also stem from the Scottish town named "Hayes."

In Ireland, the surname could be an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Ó hAodha" which also translates as "descendant of Aodh," Aodh or Aedu being an old Celtic God. In such cases, the surname might appear as Hughes or Hughes in different parts of the country.

In England, Hays or Hayes could be a locational surname derived from any of the numerous places called Hayes in the counties of Kent, Middlesex, and Staffordshire. The spelling variations can be due to the diversity of Middle English and Old English dialects before they were standardized.

In general, while surnames may share spelling or phonetic similarities, individual family histories play a significant role in diversifying these globally connected names.

Famous people with the name Hays

• Nancy Hays: American film and television actress.
• Garrett Hays: American professional football player.
• Hays Carlson: American artist and entrepreneur.
• Johnnie Hays: former American football offensive lineman and coach.
• Kay Hays: American model and actress.
• Joseph Hays: American urban-country music recording artist.
• Patrick Hays: American politician and former mayor of North Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Maggi Hays: former stage and screen actress.
• C.J. Hays: American football player, coach and college athletics administrator.
• Will Hays: American politician and industry leader from Indiana.
• Jack Hays: 19th-century Texas Ranger and Indian fighter.
• Mary Pierce Hays: American politician and former Georgia state senator.
• Linda Hays: American community activist and proponent of civil rights initiatives.
• Jack H. Hays: Texas Ranger and early settler of Texas.
• Michael Hays: American architect and professor at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.
• David Hays: American sports commentator.
• Jeffrey Hays: artist, writer, and curator.
• Julie Hays: American singer with classical-crossover style.
• Jody Hays: American musician, artist, and drummer.
• Stewart Hays: American record producer, music supervisor, and songwriter.

Other surnames

HayHayalHayashiHayburnHaydHaydarHaydariHaydarogluHaydeHaydenHayderHaydnHaydockHaydonHaydtHaydterHayeHayedornHayenHayerHayesHaygenHayhurstHayirliHaykinsHaylHayleHaylerHaylesHaylett