In determining what the maximum take off weight of an aircraft is, presumably a calculation of maximum lift is done for the aircraft, and the maximum take off weight is then a certain percentage (less than 100%) of that figure for maximum lift, correct?.
Yes and no. I think you are under the impression that MTOW is a function of the achievable takeoff performance. The
performance limited MTOW is, but that is not what you are asking (I don't think)
When talking about MTOW, we usually mean maximum
structural take off weight. That is, the maximum weight the airframe is certified to operate at without breaking. The limiting factor for this will indeed often be the maximum allowed load on the wing.
Transport aircraft are certified to +2/-0G in take off and landing configuration, with a 150% saftey margin. To my knowledge, th highest certified weight for a 737 is 75 000Kg (the -700ER), so it's wing is ceritfied to produce 150 000KG of lift (Lf= L/M). It never
does in normal operation as pulling 2g on takeoff would land you in the CPs office very quickley!!
Performance limited MTOW may then be more limiting for a particualr take-off (Short runway, hot-high conditions,obstacle clearence etc.),but this is calculated from factored flight test data. Whilst a component of this will be how fast and to what rate the aircraft achieves climb (which, as you state is a function of how much lift is achieved), it is not quantified as a certification figure. You get what you get and measure the results.
Hope this helps