Fay is an Irish surname. The name derives from the Norman surname "de Fae" which was introduced to Ireland in the 12th century. It is commonly found in counties Westmeath, Cavan and Monaghan. The native Gaelic surnames Ó Fiaich and Ó Fathaigh are sometimes anglicised as Fay.
Notable people with the surname include:
Albert Bel Fay (1913-1992), American businessperson
Bill Fay (21st century), English singer
Charles Ernest Fay (1846-1931), American mountain climber
Charles Joseph Fay, Irish politician
Darren Fay (born 1976), Irish footballer
Dorothy Fay (1915-2003), American actress
Faith Fay (21st century), American actress
Francis B. Fay (1793-1876), American politician
Frank Fay (American actor) (1897-1961), American Vaudeville performer
Frank Fay (Irish actor) (1870-1931), Irish co-founder of the Abbey Theatre
Fred Fay (21st century), American disability rights activist
George Fay (21st century), United States Army general
Isabel Fay (born 1979), British actor
J. Michael Fay (born 1956), American ecologist
James Bernard Fay (born 1947), Canadian farmer
James H. Fay (1899-1948), American lawyer
John D. Fay (1815-1895), American civil engineer
John Fay (politician) (1773-1855), American politician
John Fay (writer) (21st century), British television writer
Johnny Fay (born 1966), Canadian drummer
Jonathan Fay (21st century), American computer scientist
Larry Fay (1888-1933), American businessperson
Martin Fay (1938-2012), Irish fiddler
Maura Fay (1958-2001), Australian television producer
Meagen Fay (21st century), American actress
Michael Fay (banker) (21st century), New Zealand businessperson
Michael D. Fay, American war and combat artist
Michael P. Fay (born 1975), American criminal
Ming Fay (21st century), American sculptor
Paul B. Fay (1918-2009), United States Secretary of the Navy
Peter T. Fay (born 1929), American lawyer
Peter W. Fay (1924-2004), American historian
Rick Fay (1926-1999), American clarinetist
Sam Fay (1856-1953), English railwayman
Sidney Bradshaw Fay (1876-1967), American historian
William Fay (1872-1947), Irish actor
