Surname MacRay - Meaning and Origin

MacRay: What does the surname MacRay mean?

The surname MacRay is of Scottish origin, being first found in Ayrshire, a region in the southwestern part of the country. The name translates from Gaelic as "son of Ray." The prefix "Mac" is typically indicative of "son of," while "Ray" is a given name. In the context of old Gaelic names, Ray is thought to be a diminutive form of names like Raymond, Raimund, or Ragnvaldr, each having roots in Old Norse and Germanic languages meaning advice, decision, or protector. Therefore, MacRay could suggest "son of the advisor" or "son of the protector." It's important to note that meanings can alter based on regional dialects and name derivations in individual family histories. MacRay is also often spelled in a variety of ways, including MacRae, MacRaith, and others due to the translation from Gaelic to English, which didn't standardize until the 20th century.

MacRay: Where does the name MacRay come from?

The surname MacRay is of Scottish origin, stemming from the clan MacRae, which originated in the Highlands of Scotland. The name's prefix "Mac" denotes "son of" in Gaelic, thus MacRay may be translated to "son of Ray."

Many MacRaes descended from a 13th-century Irish priest named Gilleasbuig and settled in Kintail, a region in the western Highlands. Today, because of centuries of immigration and emigration, individuals bearing variants of this surname (MacRae, McRae, MacRay, etc.) can be found scattered around the globe. However, the surname is still heavily found in Scotland, particularly around the areas of Kintail and Lochalsh. Descendants have also spread to other countries, notably the United States, Canada, and Australia, primarily during the periods of significant Scottish diaspora in the 18th and 19th centuries. These regions with Scottish immigrant history can often see higher concentrations of individuals with the surname MacRay or its variants today.

Variations of the surname MacRay

The surname MacRay predominantly originates from Scotland, reminiscent of several Scottish surnames that begin with "Mac" (son of).

Here are several spelling variations and related surnames:

- McRay: An abbreviated variant; the prefix 'Mc' is interchangeably used with 'Mac' in many Scottish surnames.

- MacRae/McRae: A direct variation, this version is common in Scotland and gives emphasis to pronunciation.

- MacRhae: This variant modifies the spelling while preserving the phonetics of the original surname.

- MacRea/McRea: Similar to the above, a further simplification removes the 'h.'

- MacRaigh: This variation is less common but recognized in Scottish ancestry.

- Mackrae/Mackray: 'Mack' is another prefix used interchangeably with 'Mac' or 'Mc' in Scottish surnames.

Other surnames of the same origin (son of Ray) can include:

- MacRey/McRey

- MacRie/McRie

- MacWray/McWray

- Ray, Wray, Rey or Rie when the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix is dropped.

These different spellings could be due to variations and alternative spellings in different regions and due to phonetic adaptations over time.

Famous people with the name MacRay

• Ben MacRay: an American professional basketball player for Italian team A|X Armani Exchange Milano.
• Paul MacRay: a professional stuntman who has appeared in films such as “Star Wars”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Godfather”, and “Gone with the Wind”.
• Emma MacRay: an American voice actress who is known for voicing characters in anime such as “Naruto”, “Attack on Titan”, and “My Hero Academia”.
• Macaulay MacRay: a Canadian film director and screenwriter who wrote and directed films such as “The Five Stages of Grief” and “Midnight Polygon”.
• Zachary MacRay: an American rock musician who has released several solo albums and who currently performs with the band Aweful.
• Jonah MacRay: an American porn star who has appeared in films such as “Letting Go” and “Throat Bangers”.
• Justin MacRay: an Australian professional surfer who has won several competitions including the 2016 Australian National Championship.
• Ella MacRay: a Canadian author who has published several books of poetry including “Bodies of Light” and “Cries of a Lost Soul”.
• Emily MacRay: a British actress who has appeared in films such as “The Imitation Game” and “The Iron Lady”.
• Winston MacRay: an American filmmaker who is known for his documentary films about poverty and inequality.

Other surnames

MacraMacrachMaCrackenMacRaeMacRaildMacraithMacRanaldMacranderMacRankineMacRannMacRannallMacrathMacraw