Ray (surname)

The surname Ray has several origins.

In some cases it originates from a nickname, derived from the Old French rei, roy, meaning "king",^[1] which was sometimes also used as a personal name.^[2] This nickname may have denoted a person's pride or swagger,^[3] someone's appearance,^[4] or regal behavior or bearing,^[5] or may have referred to achievement in a contest,^[5] royal service,^[4] or may have denoted someone who presided over certain festive celebrations.^[6] Early examples of forms of this surname include: William Lerei, in 1195 (Norfolk); Robert Raie, in 1206 (Cambridgeshire); and Thomas filius Rey, in 1296 (Cambridgeshire).^[7]

In other cases, the surname originates from a nickname derived from the northern Middle English rā,^[7] rae,^[7] ray^[5] (Old English rā,^[8] Old Norse rā),^[9] meaning "roe deer",^[10] or the Middle English ray^[11] (Old English rœge),^[12] meaning "female roe deer".^[11] This nickname may have denoted a timid person or a swift runner.^[13]

In other cases, the surname is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Raith,^[7] a surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Macraith, "son of grace".^[14] Early examples of forms of this surname include: Alexander Macrad, in about 1225 (Dumbartonshire); Patric McRe, in 1376 (Dumfriesshire); and Adam McCreich, in 1438.^[15]

In other cases, the surname is a variant of Rye.^[16] In such cases, the surname may originate from two locative names: one is derived from a form of the Middle English atter ye, "meaning at the island" (Old English œt thœre ige), for someone who lived on an island or a patch of firm ground; the other is derived from a form of the Middle English atter eye, meaning "at the river" (Old English œt thœre eœ) for someone who lived near a river or stream.^[17] Early examples of forms of the surname Rye include: William de Rye, in 1240 (Essex); Ralph de Rye, in 1248 (Essex); and Ralph de la Reye, in 1279 (Oxfordshire).^[18]

In other cases, the surname may be a variant of the surname Wray,^[19] a variant of Wroe,^[20] derived from the Middle English wroe (Old Scandinavian vrá), meaning "nook, corner of land".^[21] Early examples of forms of the surname Wray include: Willelmus del Wra, in 1379 (Lancashire); Ricardus del Wra, in 1377 (West Yorkshire); and Willelmus in the Wraa, in 1379 (West Yorkshire).^[22]

In other cases, the surname is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin.^[23] In other cases, the surname may have originated as locative name, derived from the Old French raier, meaning "to gush, stream, or pour".^[24] In other cases, the surname is a variant of Indian surname Rai.^[24] In some case, the surname Rai is derived from the Sanskrit raja, meaning "king". In other cases, specifically in Karnataka, the origin of the surname is unknown.^[25]

• Amuro Ray
• Charles Lee Ray, known as Chucky (Child's Play)
• Marcus Ray, main character in the 1998 movie Knock Off (film)
• Max Ray, main character in the 1986 animated series Centurions (TV_series)

• Del Ray (disambiguation)
• Le Ray (disambiguation)
• Leray
• Rae (surname)
• Rai (surname)
• Ray (given name)
• Rey (surname)
• Rhea (name)
• Roy
• Wray (surname)

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Ray.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.