MCCRAY
Also recorded as Mc Cray, Mccray
McCray
McCray is a Scottish and Irish surname originating from the Gaelic Mac Rath, meaning "son of grace." The prefix "Mac" is a Gaelic term denoting "son of", and "Rath" likely refers to the concept of grace or prosperity.
Origin
The McCray surname is thought to have originated as a patronymic surname, indicating a descent from an ancestor known as Rath. The name is found predominantly in Scotland and Ireland, with the highest concentration of McCray families in Argyll and Bute in Scotland.
Migration and Distribution
Over the centuries, bearers of the McCray surname have spread to various parts of the world, particularly in regions where Scottish and Irish immigrants settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Bearers
The McCray surname can be found among various notable individuals in diverse fields, including literature, music, and politics. Some notable bearers of the McCray surname include:
- Colin McCray: A legendary Scottish rally driver and 1995 World Rally Champion.
- Shane McCray: A contemporary poet known for his compelling verses and unique literary style.
Variants
Variants of the McCray surname include McRae, MacCrae, and MacCrea, reflecting the different phonetic renderings of the original Gaelic name over time and in different regions.
Legacy
The McCray surname carries with it a rich history of Scottish and Irish heritage, often associated with qualities such as grace, strength, and resilience. The surname continues to be borne by many individuals across the globe, maintaining a link to its Celtic origins.
There are approximately 42 people named McCray in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named McCray.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Chris
- Ernest
- Howard
Female
- Angela
- Gabrielle
- Sarah
- Sheila
Similar and related surnames
- McRae
- MacRae
- McCrey
- McKray
- McRee
- McRea
- McCree
- McRay
- McCrea
- McCrae
- Maccrae
- Mccary
- Mccra
- Mackray
- Macra
- Macray
- Mccarey
- Mccarry
- Mccory
- Mccran
- Mccrary
- Mccraw
- Mccroy
- Mcraey
- Mcraye
- Maccree
- Macrea
- Mccara
- Mccarr
- Mccarrey
- Mccorey
- Mccrady
- Mccraig
- Mccrain
- Mccrane
- Mccrann
- Mccrate
- Mccrave
- Mccready
- Mccrear
- Mccreary
- Mccreavy
- Mccroary
- Mccurry
- Mckree
- Mcroy
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.