Ray (surname)

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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", [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]

Contents

In other cases, the surname originates from a nickname derived from the northern Middle English , [7] rae, [7] ray [5] (Old English , [8] Old Norse ), [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]

People with this surname

Fictional characters

See also

Citations

  1. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  2. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  3. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Cottle (1969) pp. 158, 235.
  4. 1 2 Cottle (1969) pp. 158, 235.
  5. 1 2 3 Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  6. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Cottle (1969) pp. 158, 235; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  7. 1 2 3 4 Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223.
  8. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Cottle (1969) pp. 235, 241.
  9. Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373.
  10. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Cottle (1969) pp. 235, 241; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  11. 1 2 Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  12. Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445.
  13. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Cottle (1969) pp. 235, 241.
  14. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016a) p. 1805; Black (1971) p. 560; Cottle (1969) p. 189.
  15. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016a) p. 1805; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Black (1971) p. 560.
  16. Reaney; Wilson (1995) pp. 373–374; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  17. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) pp. 2225–2226, 2310; Reaney; Wilson (1995) pp. 373–374, 387; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 464; Rye Family History (n.d.).
  18. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) pp. 2225–2226.
  19. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; Ray Family History (n.d.).
  20. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) pp. 2962–2963; Reaney; Wilson (1995) pp. 504–505.
  21. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2965; Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 505.
  22. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) pp. 2962–2963.
  23. Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445.
  24. 1 2 Ray Family History (n.d.).
  25. Rai Family History (n.d.).

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