1. In French, the name Bellay is derived from the placename Bellay in the department of Vienne. The placename is derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Bellius.
2. In Italian, the surname Bellay is derived from the medieval given name Bella, meaning "beautiful". The name was originally used as a nickname for someone who was considered beautiful or attractive.
3. In Ethiopia, the name Belay is also a given name and means "he is strong".
4. In the Horn of Africa, the surname Belay is also derived from the Amharic word "belay", which means "white" or "clear". The name was originally used as a nickname for someone who had a light skin tone or clear complexion.
5. In the Indian subcontinent, the surname Belay is derived from the Sanskrit word "bel", which means "wood apple". The name was originally used as a nickname for someone who lived near a wood apple tree or who worked with wood apples.
6. In the Arabic-speaking world, the name Belay is sometimes derived from the word "balay", which means "test" or "trial". It may have been used as a name for someone who faced or overcame challenges in life.
It is important to note that the specific origin of a particular Belay surname may vary depending on the individual's family history and cultural background.