What heritage does the last name clay come from?

The last name "Clay" has English origins and is derived from the Old English Word "claeg," meaning clay or earth. It was likely used as a topographic surname for someone who lived near clay pits or in a clay-rich area. Additionally, it can be a patronymic surname, indicating descent from a person named Clay. The name has variations in other cultures, but its roots are primarily linked to English geography and landscape.