This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Calay family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Calay Family History

Calay Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Cala, Caley, Clay, Malay, Balay, Salay, Sala, Carey, Alam, Paley

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Calay family from?

You can see how Calay families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Calay family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Calay families were found in USA in 1920. In 1841 there was 1 Calay family living in Lanarkshire. This was 100% of all the recorded Calay's in Scotland. Lanarkshire had the highest population of Calay families in 1841.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Calay surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Calay ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Calay. 38% of Calay men worked as a Farmer.

View Census Data for Calay | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    38%
  • Laborer
    38%
  • Farm Hand
    25%

What Calay family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 322 census records available for the last name Calay. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Calay census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Calay

Passenger Lists

There are 46 immigration records available for the last name Calay. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Calay immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 33 military records available for the last name Calay. For the veterans among your Calay ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Calay military records

You've only scratched the surface of Calay family history

Discover More

What is the average Calay lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2002, in the United States, Calay life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1998, and highest in 1983. The average life expectancy for Calay in 1967 was 69, and 84 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Calay

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Calay ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Calay family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial