Ray Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Ray Name Meaning: Derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'ea', meaning someone who lived by a river/stream or 'ray' which was the name given to a female deer. May have also originated from the French 'rey', meaning 'king'.

A name for someone that lived near a river/stream. May have also been a nickname for someone who acted 'kingly' or someone shy who had similar attributes to a female deer.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Ray Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Ray family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,029
Agricultural Labourer 138
Labourer 113
Domestic Servant 65
General Servant 63
Coal Miner 61
Cotton Weaver 51
Dress Maker 42
Laundress 33
Servant 29
House Keeper 28
Annuitant 27
Joiner 21
Blacksmith 19
Miner 18
Painter 17
Wife Of Above 17
Shoe Maker 17
Silk Weaver 16
Farm Labourer 15
General Servant Domestic 15
Lace Maker 14
Tailor 14
Cook 14
Farmer 14

Ray Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Ray 100% 49,419
2 Wray 75% 29,304
3 Reay 75% 18,029
4 Airey 40% 14,537
5 Rye 33% 10,238
6 Rae 67% 7,853
7 Roy 67% 6,494
8 Rey 67% 2,428
9 Ree 33% 1,828
10 Eary 50% 1,118
11 Raye 75% 1,019
12 Arey 50% 567
13 Roye 50% 532
14 Airy 25% 525
15 Ary 33% 408
16 Earey 40% 323
17 Urey 50% 238
18 Rauey 60% 179
19 Eray 75% 128
20 Royee 40% 124
21 Aray 75% 101

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The surname Ray is the most popular version of all its varients

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