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I saw Grant South's recent message on the pronunciation of the McLea name and where it might have originated (in response to a message of Rob's ( http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/show-message.asp?ID=20 ) buried deep in a thread. I thought I would point out a little additional information I have located in terms of Mack-LEE vs Mack-LAY in my own family. My family has always used "Mack-LEE" (or even more, the sloppy "Mick-LEE" or even "Muck-LEE" or "Mu-KLEE").

Kyle, I am an 8th generation McConley in the USA. I believe we are from the McLea (MacOnlea) clan. Our family has always pronounced our name with the LEE ending. I am inclined to believe thats also the correct pronunciation in Scotland. If you look at the LEY in my surname, that is a british spelling of what they would have written down when they heard the name spoken phonetically .

I have just found this forum from a Google search. We are the McLeas of South Africa - the only ones in Southern Africa as far as I know. We use the old spelling - "McLea" and use the pronouncination of "Mu-KLEE". My grandfather was Maurice Kennedy McLea (1869/12/26 - 1917/9/16). I am not sure if he was born in Scotland or Johannesburg SA. Anyway of checking records in Scotland on line?

Dear Duncan, Welcome to the Forum!

Also, I wanted to say that the "Kennedy" thrown in there really suggests an Irish connection as well, so we can't throw that out. My own line has a couple of examples of surnames used as middle names: McKay (in the daughter Elizabeth McKay McLea, who died young) Brown (in James Brown McLea, son of Peter McLea and Janet Brown, who was my ancestor). I haven't seen any Kennedys or similar in my line, but perhaps your input will help me find some.

Hi Duncan We would love to have you in the DNA project! There is a join link on the main page: http://users.skynet.be/lancaster/Discus ... Maclea.htm If you have any doubts at all about why you would join, please feel free to contact me at andrew dot lancaster at skynet dot be. For Scotland's People (mentioned in Kyle's post) don't forget that spelling could still vary. But you can search with wildcards. Having a middle name may be very helpful, but try without if it doesn't work. Best Regards Andrew

I am descended of a Lee from the island of Lettermullen, original spelling MacLeigh son of physician clan.

Dear Jayne, Please get in touch with me at ksm6 -at- cornell -dot- edu.