More Migration of Southern Macleas

[James Stewart McLay]

Much has been written and discussed regarding the name change from McOnlea/McLea to Livingstone,but to the best of my knowledge, very little concerning the change from McLea to McLay. The latter being presently the most common form, certainly in Central and Southern Scotland. Although, in the Highlands and Western Isles MacLeay appears to be the popular version. I have been researching McLays in Stirlingshire, in particular the St. Ninian's parish of Stirling,where my forbearers were established, together with the parishes of Balfron and Killean. McLea in the area pre-dates the 1715 and 1745 uprisings and consequently the clearances and there would be no requirement or benefit to change the family name to Livingstone. McLeas were numerous in these areas in the late 17th. Century. The earliest recorded Birth/Baptism being that of John McLea on 25th. July,1689, son of Donald McLea and Margaret McGrigar. I note that in St Ninians, McLea was quite prominent between 1689 and 1720, but by 1812 the name was almost worn out, with the final mention being the marriage of Margaret McLea to

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Stewart, I see you have working overtime on your MacLay or should I say McLea research. So many different spellings. I am still for my part struggling with McKinlay. For one thing I can't figure out the use of the "K". Not particulary gaelic to use that K I should think. Could it have added later after anglo contact. Some think MCKinlay have an ancient connection to Clan Finlay and dont see a connection to our Maconleas at all. Don't know much about them except I am curious about where the "K" came from. Maybe Niall has some notions about MacKinlays and if they have any possible connection to us. Have not had a chance to check out the origins of Tartan 1003, but I shall return to it perhaps after the holidays. Going up to a friends farm next week in Perth County, Ontario who lives not too far from the Listowel, Ontario archives. Listowel is the town where Dr. David Livingstone's older brother lived until his death in 1899, so I am hopefull of finding something of interest on John there. Already found quite a bit on him since my last posting on the forum which I will pass on to the folks as it is more interesting than I ever imagined. So interesting I will have to put my history of the Canadian Livingstones on hold to focus a bit more on John Livingstone brother of Dr. LIvingstone. regards Donald (Livingstone) Clink

[Andrew Lancaster4]

My guess is that "ay" is the normal English way to spell the sound which in Gaelic was spelled in different ways, and possibly pronounced different ways also. Perhaps in a sense we can think of MacLeay as a kind of cover-all-options version. We should not forget that there seems to have long been two PRONUNCIATIONs: McLEE and McLAY....with the latter being most common. Regards Andrew

[Kyle2 MacLea]

The McKinlay/McOnlea question is still wide open. Rob and others have suggested that there must be some crossover between the two families, and we would expect to see some matches with McKinlays based on that fact. To my knowledge, the DNA project has not yet uncovered such a thing. But I find it eminently plausible still. But it may be that the weight of empirical evidence may eventually prove that this change didn't really happen, perhaps due to Gaelic linguistic reasons (also explaining the K perhaps), and that despite our retrospective look back *suggesting* a possible introconversion between the forms, it in fact never happened. Only time will tell! But I continue to think that McKinlay<-->McOnlea seems very plausible to me.

[Kyle2 MacLea]

Hi Stewart, No research on the Stirling McLea/ys, but I read your note with interest. The McLea-->McLay has always been of interest to me, especially, because MY McLeas say Mack-LEE and not Mack-LAY.

[James Stewart McLay]

Hi Kyle, Your posting was most interesting and following up on your Isle of Bute investigations I checked the current Clyde Coast Directory. Sorry, No Mac/McLeas, only 2 entries for McLay (but you probably knew that already). I went out on a limb and phoned the John McLay listed, because I have a 2nd cousin of that name with whom I've lost contact, after he moved from Ayrshire several years ago. Result!! it turns out that this John McLay's father, James McLay is a cousin of my 2nd cousin, all three of us having been raised in Partick, Glasgow, in the 1940's and sharing the same GGF. I now have several new branches of the tree to work on. Isn't life interesting!! Thanks mainly to your Bute heritage. To all our forum contributors, keep up the good work in 2007 and have a Wonderful Christmas. Regards to all, Stewart

[Kyle2 MacLea]

Dear Stewart, One more note before I leave town for Christmas. I am very glad to hear of your connection with the "new" John McLay!