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I guess from first settlement in "Port Mackay" in 1862 there has been an ongoing argument on the naming of Mackay. From an outsider (I was born and raised in Townsville and am yet to be here 50 years to qualify as a local) I have always known Mackay to be pronounced as Mac "eye". From speaking to many old timers there is a 50/50 split........some call it Mac "eye" and some call it Mac "A".... And no matter on which side of the fence they come from they insist that is what they have always know it to be called!!!..... The argument now and again rears its head in the Daily Mercury and on local radio stations. I receive the occasional email asking the same question so in fairness and upon the evidence that has been given the correct answer should be: MAC "EYE"
The old Gaelic pronounciation is
MacAye, MacEye, or MacKi. The Gaelic spelling is MacAoidh.
The surname Mackay (McKay, Mackay) is the English equivalent of the Gaelic "MacAoidh" from Mac (son) and Aoidh (the genitive of the proper name Aodh). Aodh was a popular Celtic name and is said to be a form of Aed which is translated as "The fiery or impetuous one". With the passing of time, the spelling of "MacAoidh" has taken many forms including Iye, Y, Aytho, MacIye, Makky, Macky, Maky, McKye, McKeye, Mackie, Mackey, McKy, McAy, McCei, MacCay, Mackee, Makgie, Ison, Eason, Easson, and many others. The name MacIsaac is said to be a corruption of MacIye. (From: "The Clan Mackay", by Margaret O. MacDougall) So see below for the evidence......no correspondence will be entered into....
Glen Hall
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Mackay
Historical Society
© Mackay Historical Society and Museum
Incorporated 2001-2009.
page created 24 November 2009.
last updated 24 November 2009
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