Finlay, Findlay, Finlayson

Padraig Mac Giolla-Domhnaigh
1923

Finlay, Findlay, Finlayson—These names are the anglicised forms of Mac Fhionnlaigh, derived from fionn, fair and laich, a warrior.

The Norsemen assumed the name in the form of Finn-leikr. M'Kinlay and M'Ginlay are forms of the name, the latter name being assumed by a branch of the sept who settled in Donegal. They are a sept of the Clan Farquharson.

Alphabetical Index of Anglicised Surnames in Ireland

See also Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames
and O'Hart's Irish Pedigrees