From the Norse, Laxar, a salmon; if ending with 'ay' it would mean 'salmon island' but if ending with 'a' it would mean 'salmon river'.

A village lying on the north side of Loch Erisort. The name is thought to have been derived from the Norse: laxar - salmon; a - river.

Laxay is situated between two good salmon rivers: Abhainn Lacasaidh to the west and Abhainn Eallaidh to the east. At one time, the Laxay river was thought to be the second best on the Island, next to the Grimersta river.

Laxay families lived on the following crofts:

Macleod: 1, 2, 9a, 9b, 10, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29

Macdonald: 2, 3, 13a, 18, 19, 26

Maciver: 3, 9, 9b, 11, 12, 12, 14, 22, 23, 28, 29

Morrison: 4, 6, 14, 15, 22, 24

Mackenzie: 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 23, 28

Ferguson: 6, 12, 22, 30

Matheson: 7, 21

Mackay: 8

Smith: 14, 26

Maclennan: 17, 24

Montgomery: 20, 21b, 23, 27

Nicolson: 26

Fraser: 28

Macsween: 28