Clan Hay

**Clan Hay** is a Scottish clan from the Grampian region of Scotland. The clan has played an important part in Scottish history and politics. Today, people with the surname Hay (or its variants) can be found in many parts of Scotland and around the world, but their heartland remains in the northeast—especially Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Morayshire, and Nairnshire.

## Origins

The name Hay comes from the Norman name _de la Haye_, meaning “of the hedge” or “hedged enclosure”. The first Hays in Scotland came from Normandy around the 12th century. One of the earliest known was William de Haya, who served King William the Lion and became the Baron of Erroll.

## Legendary and real history

A famous legend tells of a battle called Luncarty (around the year 980), where a man named Hay saved the king by standing his ground in a narrow pass. In return, the king reportedly gave him land that a falcon freed over six miles — this land became Errol. Though this story may be more legend than fact, historians still note the long and distinguished standing of the Hays in Scotland.

In real history, Gilbert de la Hay, a later clan leader, fought for Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn and was rewarded with lands and the office of Lord High Constable of Scotland. Since then, the Hays of Erroll have held that high role.

## Earls, castles and loyalty

The title Earl of Erroll was created in 1453 for a member of Clan Hay, and since then, the Earls of Erroll have been chiefs of the clan. Their family seat is now in England, but their connections to Scotland remain strong.

The clan held many castles over the centuries. Some are still standing (like Delgatie Castle), while others, like Old and New Slains Castles, are now ruins. These places reflect the clan’s power and presence in different regions of Scotland.

During turbulent times like the Reformation and the Jacobite risings, the Hays stayed loyal—first to Mary, Queen of Scots, and later, to the Stuart cause.

## Symbols

Clan Hay has a motto in Latin: _"Serva Jugum"_, meaning “Keep the yoke.”  Their crest badge often shows a falcon in flight, and the clan’s plant badge is mistletoe.

## Today

Now, the chief of Clan Hay is the Earl of Erroll, who also holds the hereditary title of Lord High Constable of Scotland—a rare office still recognized today. The clan is alive in Scotland and among Scots worldwide, celebrated in societies, gatherings, and cultural memory.

## Infobox (clan)

- **clan name**: Clan Hay
- **chiefs crest**: Issuing out of a crest coronet a falcon volant Proper, armed, jessed and belted Or
- **chiefs motto**: _Serva jugum_ ("Keep the yoke")
- **chiefs slogan**: "A Hay! A Hay!"
- **gaelic names**: _Garadh, MacGaradh_
- **image arms**: Coat of arms of the earl of Erroll, high constable of Scotland.png
- **plant badge**: Mistletoe
- **animal**: Falcon
- **chiefs name**: The Rt. Hon. Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll, Merlin Sereld Hay
- **chiefs title**: The 24th Earl of Erroll
- **seat**: Woodbury Hall
- **historic seat**: New Slains Castle
Old Slains Castle
- **septs**: Alderston, Ayer, Bagra, Beagrie, Conn (Aberdeenshire only), Constable, Delahaye, Delgaty, Du Plessis, Dupplin, Errol, Garadh, Garrow, Geary, Gifford, Hayden, Haye, Hayes, Hayle, Haynes, Hays, Hayton, Hayward, Hey, Hye, Kinnoul, Laxfirth, Clan Leask, Leask (though bond of Manrent in 15th century), Leith, Locherworth, Logie, Macara, MacGaradh, McKester, Peebles, Phillips (Aberdeenshire only), Slains, Turriff, Tweeddale, Yester, Zester
- **branches**: Earl of Erroll, Hay, Earl of Erroll (chiefs)
Hay of Pitfour Castle, Pitfour
Hay baronets, Hay, Baronet of Linplum
Hay baronets, Hay, Baronet of Alderston
Hay baronets, Hay, Baronet of Restalrig (in the Jacobite Peerage)
Hay of Seton House and of Mapes Hill House
Hay of Belhaven, Scotland, Belton
Hay of Newhall, Gifford, East Lothian, Gifford
Hay of Spott and Lawfield
Hay of Drumelzier
Hay of Duns Castle
Hay of Nunraw
Hay baronets, Hay, Baronet of Smithfield and Haystoun
Hay of Lochloy
Hay of Delgatie
Hay baronets, Hay, Baronet of Park
Hay of Cardeny
Hay of Hayfield, Lerwick
Dalrymple-Hay baronets
- **allied clans**: Clan Comyn