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 1,232
Agricultural Labourer 97
Coal Miner 79
Domestic Servant 72
Labourer 67
General Labourer 66
General Servant 58
Dress Maker 54
Laundress 43
Annuitant 36
Cotton Weaver 36
House Keeper 28
No Occupation 25
Farm Labourer 25
Joiner 21
General Servant Domestic 18
Errand Boy 17
Charwoman 15
Grocer Assistant 15
Carter 15
Cook 14
None 14
Painter 14
Grocer 14
Servant Domestic 13

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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