Surname Cray - Meaning and Origin
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Cray: What does the surname Cray mean?
The surname Cray is of English origin and is derived from various geographic locations in England. It is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case, 'Cray' originally may have referred to someone who lived by a river or stream, as it is believed to have originated from the Old English word 'crei' which means 'creek' or 'small stream'. Another possibility is that it may have been derived from places named Cray, such as St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, or Foots Cray in Kent, England. The suffix 'Cray' in these place names also comes from the Old English 'crei'. As surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, they were often derived from locations, occupations, or even nicknames. Like many surnames, Cray might have different meanings in other cultures and languages. Therefore, the context and geographical history of the individual or family should be considered when interpreting the surname's meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisCray: Where does the name Cray come from?
The last name Cray is of English origin. It's believed to be a locational surname derived from various places in England such as Cray in Berkshire, Cray's Pond in Oxfordshire, and North, St. Mary and Foots Cray in Kent. The term "Cray" appears to derive from the Old English term "creag" or "creig," which means a rock or rocky peak, indicating the geographical characteristics of these areas.
It's also considered that Cray could be a version of "Crayke" which is a village in North Yorkshire, and it stood as "Creic" in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Today, this surname isn't particularly common and is spread out globally due to migration and naturalization. Some instances of the surname can be found in the United States, England, and Canada. The highest concentration remains in England given its origins. However, its distribution remains relatively low compared to many other surnames. Famous bearers of this surname include Seymour Cray, an American electrical engineer and supercomputer architect.
Variations of the surname Cray
The surname Cray, often associated with Anglo-Saxon origin, has various alternative spellings and variants that have morphed over the centuries due to regional dialects, phonetic spellings, and cultural adaptations. Some of these alternative spellings include Crae, Cree, Crey, Kray, Craye, and Krey.
Additionally, the surname Cray could be linked to variant spellings of similar sounding or derived surnames. Such as McCray, MacCray, MacRaith, McCrae, or McCrea which are of Irish or Scottish origin.
There are also alternative spellings linked to different geographical regions. For instance, in German, the equivalent surname is often spelled as "Kreie" or "Krei".
Also, the surname "de Crai" is a Norman origin name, from Crai in Calvados, arrondisement of Lisieux, Normandy, and this could be potentially another variant and connection to the surname Cray.
It is important to keep in mind that surname origins can be complex and multifaceted, often influenced by linguistic, geographical, and historical factors. Hence, tracing the precise origin of a surname can be a challenging task.
Famous people with the name Cray
- Sam Cray: Professional Australian basketball player
- Paul Cray: Early American businessman and inventor
- Mary Cray: prominent American poet
- Dave Cray: Professional British golfer
- Craig Cray: Canadian film director and producer
- Eric Cray: Filipino sprinter
- Brian Cray: British Formula One racing driver
- John Cray: American metalcore/deathcore drummer
- Eddie Cray: American blues and jazz singer
- Barry Cray: British television screenwriter and producer
- Amanda Cray: British-American actress
- Baron Cray: English political and military leader in the fifteenth century
- William Cray: American known for his involvement in politics, science, and commerce in the eighteenth century
- Eva Cray: American religious leader in the late twentieth century
- Justin Cray: American actor and model
- Chris Cray: Australian lawyer and business executive
- A.J. Cray: Canadian ice hockey coach
- Mike Cray: American baseball player