Ray
What is the origin of the last name Ray?
Meaning and origin
The last name Ray is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Old English word "rae," meaning a roe deer. It may have originated as a nickname for someone who was swift or agile like a deer, or as a topographical name for someone who lived near a place where roe deer were abundant. The name has various regional spellings, such as Rea and Rae, and can be traced back to medieval times in England and Scotland, with early records dating as far back as the 13th century.
The longer story
Ray is a last name that holds some intriguing historical significance.
Another possible origin is the French word "roi," meaning "king," which could have been used as a nickname for someone who had regal qualities or was of noble descent.
Another noteworthy aspect of the Ray surname is its prevalence in different regions. Historically, the name has been associated with England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. In fact, according to available records, many individuals bearing the Ray surname immigrated to the United States from these countries during various periods of migration.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#220
Ray was the 220th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 133,171 people, about 45 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Where it is found
Countries linked to Ray.
Surnames like Ray
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Ray is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.