The Claye Family Name

Claye is a branch of the Clay name tree. In origin, the name means “Dweller on clay soil”.

A variant of Clay

Claye adds “e” to Clay, a small change that appeared as the name was written down. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. The same family of names includes Clayes and Cley.

From 1891 to 2000, 244 births in France were registered under Claye. There were 9 such births in the 1890s and 27 in the 1990s.

Claye coat of arms

Looking for a Claye coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours.

Research your Claye family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.