The Scottish surname Kay is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aoidh, meaning " son of Hugh." The Kay clan is an ancient and once powerful Scottish clan from the far north of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old kingdom of Moray. They were a powerful force in politics beginning in the 14th century, supporting Robert the Bruce. In the centuries that followed they were anti-Jacobite. The territory of the Kay's consisted of the parishes of Durness, Tongue and Farr in the north of the county of Sutherland, later it would extend and include the parish of Reay in the west of the neighboring county of Caithness. The chief of the clan is Lord Reay. Today there are over 23,000 people with the last name Kay living in The United States.