Has anyone verified an Elijah McKay coming to the colonies in the 1700's

Question

Some researchers have shown an Elijah McKay m. to Marion Bond as having come to the American colonies in the 1700's probably with sons named William and Samuel and their families with them.  A professional geneologist in Scotland told me that Elijah was not a Scotish name.  Maybe it is Irish, but I can not find any ship manifest for this either.  So far, the birth of a Hugh McKay in Pendelton District, South Carolina is the earliest verifiable event in 1791.

I really appreciate any information.

Answer 1

Elijah

This ancient surname of many spellings, is a "crusader" import into Europe from the Holy Land. Recorded as Elliss, Elix, Ellice, Eles, Elias, Heelis, and many other forms, it derives from the Greek "Elias", itself from the Hebrew "Eliyahu", and meaning "Jehovah is God". The name became popular among Christians in the Middle Ages partly because of its adoption by various early saints and martyrs including a 7th Century Bishop of Syracuse, but mainly as a reult of soldiers and pilgrims from the 11th and 12th century crusades. These people on their return home, often christened their children with the ancient names of the Old Testament in memory of the father's efforts to free the Holy Land from the Saracens. The fact that there were twelve such expeditions and all were unsuccessful, does not appear to have dimmed their enthusiasm.The earliest of all hereditary surnames and their recording, was in England, and it is here that we find the first examples of the surname. These include in the year 1202, William Elis in the charters relating to the Danelaw of the county of Lincolnshire, and Robert Elys or Helys, who was listed in the Calendar of Documents for the county of Essex, in 1250. One of the first settlers in the New England colonies was Richard Ellis, aged 29 yrs., who left London on the ship "Bonaventure", bound for Virginia in January 1634. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world, is believed to be that of William Elyas, which was dated 1200, in the tax returns for the county of Yorkshire. This was during the reign of King John of England , 1199 - 1216. Throughout the centuries surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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Comments

McKay

Recorded in many forms including MacKay, McKay, Mackey, MacHugh, Makee, and Makey, this is a surname which can be either Irish or Scottish. It derives from the pre 10th century Old Gaelic name MacAodh, with the prefix "Mac" indicating "son of", plus the personal name "Aodh" meaning "fire". It was originally the name of an early pagan god. Traditionally Gaelic family names are taken from the heads of tribes or from some illustrious warrior, and are usually prefixed. Sometimes in Ireland this is by O', meaning grandson or male descendant of, or in both Scotland and Ireland Mac, as above. The surname is however first recorded in Scotland in the early half of the 14th century (see below). Other early examples taken from early surviving charters include Malachy MacHugh, archbishop of Tuam who is recorded in the Irish Annals of Clonmacnois in 1313. Other later recordings taken from the registers of the diocese of Greater London include Lasabell Maky who married Edmund Harrison at Lincolns Inn Chapel on September 28th 1701, and Richard Makey, a witness at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, on April 27th 1836. An interesting namebearer was Archibald McKay (1801 - 1883), poet and topographer, who published "My First Bawbee", a popular poem, in 1828. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilchrist M'ay, made payment to the constable of Tarbert, dated 1326. This is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, during the reign of King David 11 of Scotland, 1329 - 1371. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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Answer 2

Samuel McKay (his son) last will and testament verifies this it can be found on ancestry.com. It gives a quick overview of the route they took to sail there from Scotland.. Hope it helps!