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Ray (surname)

The surname Ray has several origins.

Origin of the surname

In some cases it originates from a nickname, derived from the Old French rei, roy, meaning "king", which was sometimes also used as a personal name. This nickname may have denoted a person's pride or swagger, someone's appearance, or regal behavior or bearing, or may have referred to achievement in a contest, royal service, or may have denoted someone who presided over certain festive celebrations. 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).

In other cases, the surname originates from a nickname derived from the northern Middle English rā, rae, ray (Old English rā, Old Norse rā), meaning "roe deer", or the Middle English ray (Old English rœge), meaning "female roe deer". This nickname may have denoted a timid person or a swift runner.

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

In other cases, the surname is a variant of Rye. 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. 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).

In other cases, the surname may be a variant of the surname Wray, a variant of Wroe, derived from the Middle English wroe (Old Scandinavian vrá), meaning "nook, corner of land". 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).

In other cases, the surname is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin. In other cases, the surname may have originated as locative name, derived from the Old French raier, meaning "to gush, stream, or pour". In other cases, the surname is a variant of Indian surname Rai. 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.