Shay Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Discover how your Shay ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Shay Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shay family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 30
Labourer 22
House Servant 9
General Servant 6
Tailor 6
Agricultural Labourer 5
Servant 5
At Home 5
Shoe Maker 4
Farm Labourer 4
Wood Cutter 4
Pauper 2
Son Of A Tramp 2
Emigrant 2
Hawker Of Strickings 2
Journeyman Tailor 2
Card Maker 2
Charwoman 2
Cordwainer 2
Couch 2
Errand Boy 2
Garden Woman 2
Gardener 2
Visitor 2
Wool Comber 2

Shay Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Shea 50% 11,776
2 Shay 100% 2,312
3 Shawe 60% 1,692
4 Ashey 60% 390
5 Shey 75% 180
6 Shy 75% 118

Did you know?

The surname Shay is the 2nd most popular variant of Shea.

Search for the Shay family