Scottish Surnames of Clan Hay – Origins, Tartans and Clan History

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Clan Hay stands as one of Scotland’s oldest and most noble families. If Hay, Garrioch, Gifford, or Leith appears in your family tree, you carry the blood of Scotland’s ancient royal constables. Your ancestors guarded Scotland’s kings and held land in Aberdeenshire for nine centuries. The Scottish surnames of Clan Hay connect a vast diaspora — across North America, Australia, and New Zealand — back to the northeast of Scotland.

This article covers the full story of Clan Hay — their Norman origins, their septs and related surnames, their tartans, and the ancestral lands your family once called home. Whether you trace your roots to Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, or Angus, this guide will help you understand where your family comes from.

The Origins of the Name Hay

Clan Hay traces its roots to Normandy in France. The name comes from “La Haye,” meaning a hedged enclosure or area of fenced land. It described a family who owned or managed such an estate.

The Hays came to Scotland around 1160. William de la Haye served King Malcolm IV as his cup-bearer and butler. He received lands in East Lothian and in the village of Erroll in Perthshire. His family grew to become one of the most powerful noble houses in medieval Scotland.

By the 1200s, the Hays held estates across Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, and Angus. They supported the Scottish Crown through war and peace. Royal charters from the 12th century confirm their early presence and growing power. This is one of the best-documented early Norman families in Scottish history.

Scottish Surnames of Clan Hay

If any of these surnames appears in your family history, you may carry Clan Hay ancestry. The Hay clan gathered several related families under its protection over the centuries.

Hay — The core clan surname. It comes from the Norman French “de la Haye.” The name spread widely across Scotland, especially in the northeast.

Garrioch — A key sept of Clan Hay in Aberdeenshire. The Garrioch district lies north of Aberdeen city. Many Garrioch families in that area share Hay ancestry.

Gifford — An allied family name linked to Hay through marriage in East Lothian. The Gifford family held Yester Castle, near Haddington.

Leith — A sept of Clan Hay associated with the Leith family of Harthill, Aberdeenshire. The name derives from the place name Leith in the northeast.

Yule — A Hay sept found in northeast Scotland. Many Yule families in Aberdeenshire trace back to Hay ancestry.

Tindal — An associated surname found in Borders Scotland. It connects to Hay landholding in that region.

Constable — Some Scottish Constable families descend from holders of the Lord High Constable office. That role belonged to the Hays for centuries.

Kinnaird — An allied surname linked to Clan Hay through marriage in Perthshire and Angus.

De la Haye / Haye — The original Norman form of the name, found in 12th- and 13th-century records.

Many Hay families also carried the given names Allan, Gilbert, and George through generations. These first names appear often in Aberdeenshire parish records and help identify Hay family branches when searching genealogy archives.

The Hay Tartan

Clan Hay has three recognised tartans, each with its own character.

The Hay Modern tartan features a red ground with dark green and navy stripes. It carries a bold, warm pattern. This reflects the clan’s long history of royal service.

The Hay Ancient tartan uses the same pattern in softer, muted tones. Many diaspora Hays prefer the Ancient version. Its faded colours evoke older Highland tradition.

The Hay Hunting tartan uses green and dark brown tones. It gives a quieter, more subtle pattern suited to everyday wear.

The clan badge is mistletoe. This plant has a long association with protection and good fortune in Celtic tradition. The clan motto is “Serva Jugum,” which means “Keep the Yoke.” It speaks of steadfast loyalty and duty to Scotland’s Crown.

The Earls of Erroll – Scotland’s Royal Constables

In 1452, King James II created the Earldom of Erroll. Sir William Hay became the first Earl. This made the Hays one of Scotland’s oldest hereditary earldoms, and one of the country’s most senior noble houses.

With the earldom came an even greater honour. The Earls of Erroll became the Lord High Constables of Scotland. This is the most senior of Scotland’s ancient Great Officers of State. The role dates back to at least the 13th century and has remained in the Hay family ever since.

The Lord High Constable holds ceremonial precedence above all other Scottish titles — apart from the Crown itself. During royal visits to Scotland, the Constable walks directly before the monarch. At the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, Meriel Hay, the 24th Countess of Erroll, carried out this ancient duty in person.

This is not a recent invention. The role stretches back to the days when the Hay family guarded Scotland’s kings in battle. That duty passed through the centuries unbroken — from William de la Haye in the 1100s to the present holder today.

The clan seat is Delgatie Castle, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire. This castle dates to the 11th century. It sits at the heart of Hay country. You can visit it today. The castle opens to the public and operates as a heritage centre and bed and breakfast. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here in 1562. If you carry Hay blood, this is the closest place you can stand to your ancestral home.

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Clan Hay in Scottish History

The Legend of Luncarty

One of Scotland’s great battle legends involves the Hay family. Around 990 AD, a Norse force invaded Scotland near Luncarty in Perthshire. The Scots began to retreat.

A farmer — tradition names him Hay — blocked a mountain pass with his sons. They used farming tools and a ploughshare to stop the fleeing soldiers. The Scots rallied and drove the invaders back.

King Kenneth III rewarded the Hay family with land. A falcon flew from their hand, and the family received all the land it covered before it landed. That grant stretched across the Carse of Gowrie and eventually grew into the earldom of Erroll.

Historians debate whether the battle unfolded exactly as tradition tells it. But this story shaped Clan Hay’s identity for centuries. Their badge of mistletoe marks the spot where, according to tradition, the farmer stood his ground.

Service to Robert the Bruce

During Scotland’s Wars of Independence, the Hays backed Robert the Bruce without hesitation. Sir Gilbert de la Haye served as Bruce’s trusted Constable and fought at his side through years of struggle.

After the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Bruce rewarded the Hays generously. Their estates grew across northeast Scotland. The family’s loyalty in difficult times secured their place as one of Scotland’s great noble houses for centuries to come.

The Jacobite Years

During the Jacobite risings of the 18th century, Hay families faced difficult choices. Some branches supported the Jacobite cause. Others stayed loyal to the Hanoverian Crown. Different Hay families took different paths — a pattern common to many Scottish noble clans of that period.

The Highland Clearances and Hay Emigration

From the late 1700s, Hay families left Scotland in large numbers. They came from Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Perthshire. Most headed for North America.

Families from the parish of Turriff — the heart of Hay country — sailed for North America in the 1720s and 1730s. They built new lives in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Later waves reached the Carolinas, Canada, and Australia.

In Canada, Hay families settled in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Scottish-Canadian Hay communities in Glengarry County, Ontario, kept the Gaelic language alive well into the 20th century. Their churches, schools, and community gatherings reflected the world their grandparents had known in Aberdeenshire. The same hymns. The same family names carved on headstones. A piece of northeast Scotland, transplanted to the New World.

If your family carries the Hay name and arrived in North America before 1850, there is a strong chance your roots trace to Aberdeenshire. The Old Parish Records for Turriff, New Deer, and Fyvie — all held at the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh — are the best starting point for your search.

Where to Visit Hay Clan Country Today

If you want to walk where your ancestors walked, these places in northeast Scotland bring Clan Hay history to life.

Delgatie Castle, Turriff, Aberdeenshire — The seat of Clan Hay and home to the chief. This 11th-century castle welcomes visitors year-round. See the painted ceilings, clan regalia, and the room where Mary Queen of Scots slept in 1562. It also offers accommodation for heritage visitors.

Erroll Village, Perthshire — The original home of the Hay earldom. The village sits in the Carse of Gowrie, south of the River Tay. Walk the same landscape where tradition says the farmer Hay once stopped an army.

Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire — A dramatic clifftop fortress where Hay clan connections played out during the Wars of Independence. Scotland’s crown jewels were hidden here in 1651. The ruins are open to visitors today.

National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh — The national archive holds Old Parish Records, estate maps, and emigration records. Many Hay families are traceable here from the 1650s onwards. A good starting point for any heritage research is our Scottish heritage trip planning guide.

Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire — Not a Hay seat, but a remarkable castle in the heart of northeast Scotland’s clan territory. It connects to the noble families of the same era. Now managed by the National Trust for Scotland, it is well worth a visit on any Scottish ancestry itinerary.

If you want to go deeper into your Scottish roots, read our full guide on how to trace your Scottish ancestry. You may also find it helpful to compare Clan Hay’s history with neighbouring northeast clans — Clan Gordon and Clan Fraser both have deep roots in the same region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clan Hay

What does the Scottish surname Hay mean?

The name Hay comes from the Norman French “de la Haye,” meaning a hedged enclosure or fenced land boundary. The first Hay arrived in Scotland around 1160, when William de la Haye served King Malcolm IV as his cup-bearer. He received lands in Erroll, Perthshire, and his descendants built one of Scotland’s most powerful noble families.

What are the septs and related surnames of Clan Hay?

The main surnames connected to Clan Hay include Hay, Garrioch, Gifford, Leith, Yule, Tindal, Constable, and Kinnaird. Older records show the names De la Haye and Haye. Families with these surnames in Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Perthshire are most likely to trace back to Clan Hay roots.

What is the Clan Hay tartan?

Clan Hay has three tartans: Hay Modern, Hay Ancient, and Hay Hunting. The Hay Modern uses red, dark green, and navy. The Hay Ancient carries the same pattern in softer, muted tones. The Hay Hunting tartan uses green and dark brown. The clan badge is mistletoe and the clan motto is “Serva Jugum,” meaning “Keep the Yoke.”

Who is the Lord High Constable of Scotland?

The Lord High Constable is the most senior of Scotland’s ancient Great Officers of State. The Earls of Erroll — chiefs of Clan Hay — hold this hereditary title. The role dates to at least the 13th century. In 2023, Meriel Hay, the 24th Countess of Erroll, fulfilled this duty at the coronation of King Charles III in London.

Where is the Clan Hay ancestral seat?

The seat of Clan Hay is Delgatie Castle, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The castle dates to the 11th century and is open to the public as a heritage centre and bed and breakfast. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here in 1562. It is the best place in Scotland to connect with Clan Hay history in person.

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