The surname Ray is of English origin. It is derived from the Old French ‘rey’, ‘roy’, meaning king ( from the Latin ‘rex’ ). It denoted someone who behaved in a regal fashion or in a proud manner or who had earned the title in some contest of skill such as shooting at the popinjay or by presiding over festivities. It may also be derived from the Middle English nickname for a timid person, ‘ray’, female roe deer or the northern Middle English ‘ray’, roebuck. The name thus signifieing ‘the roe’; stagg, buck, roebuck. Such sobriquets were highly popular and gladly retained, being of a complimentary character.To the Celts the name signified ‘dweller at a plain or level’. It may also be a habitational name for the local, ‘of the Wray’, the -w- usually being dropped. It is also a Jewish name of unknown origin. The name dates back to the twelfth century were a Robert Raie is recorded in historical archives. The name was brought to America predominately by English immigrants. One…
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