The origin of the name Clay is English and the Coat of Arms contains A silver shield with a black chevron between three black trefoils. The Crest is A trefoil between two wings. The family motto is Per orbem.
Spelling variations include: Clay, Claye, Cley, Cleye, McClay and others.
First found in Lincolnshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Jonathon Clay who settled in Virginia in 1643; Jonas Clay settled in Wells and Cape Porpus in 1636; Steven Clay settled in Barbados with wife child and servants in 1680.
