BRAY
Bray
Bray is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "bræg" meaning "hill" or "slope." The name likely originated as a locational surname to identify individuals who lived near a hill or a prominent slope. The surname has been traced back to medieval times and is predominantly found in England and Ireland, with notable concentrations in the counties of Berkshire, Surrey, and Wicklow.
Notable Individuals:
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Billy Bray (1794-1868): An English preacher and evangelist known for his colorful and enthusiastic style of preaching.
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Jenna Bray (b. 1985): British actress and television personality known for her roles in various British soap operas.
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Sir Reginald Bray (c. 1440-1503): A prominent English courtier and architect during the reign of King Henry VII.
Variations:
Variations of the surname Bray include Braye, Brae, and Braze. Over time, different branches of the Bray family may have adopted variations of the surname due to regional dialects or clerical errors in record-keeping.
Legacy:
The surname Bray has a long history and remains a relatively common surname in the United Kingdom and its former colonies. Many individuals with the surname Bray have made significant contributions to various fields, including academia, the arts, and public service.
References:
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Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1991). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge.
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Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 16,499 people named Bray in the UK. That makes it the 537th most common surname in Britain. Around 253 in a million people in Britain are named Bray.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Janet
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Bree
- Braa
- Bras
- Brais
- Bram
- Bral
- Bran
- Brar
- Brad
- Brak
- Bra
- Brai
- Brae
- Braes
- Bary
- Brya
- Braye
- Bahrey
- Bahry
- Bairy
- Baray
- Baraya
- Barey
- Bariey
- Bariya
- Barray
- Barrey
- Barry
- Barye
- Baury
- Bearey
- Bearry
- Beary
- Beery
- Berey
- Berray
- Berrey
- Berry
- Bery
- Beury
- Bewrey
- Bewry
- Biery
- Biriya
- Birrey
- Biry
- Boory
- Boray
- Borey
- Borowy
- Borrey
- Borry
- Bory
- Bourey
- Boury
- Bowrey
- Bowry
- Br
- Brab
- Brag
- Braou
- Brat
- Brau
- Brav
- Braw
- Brayae
- Brayme
- Brayn
- Brayne
- Brays
- Braz
- Brea
- Breas
- Breay
- Brey
- Browy
- Broy
- Broye
- Brry
- Bry
- Brye
- Bryee
- Bryl
- Buary
- Buery
- Buray
- Burey
- Burray
- Burrey
- Burry
- Bury
- Burye
- Whybray
- Breaa
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.