REAY
Reay
Reay is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from a place name in Caithness in the far north of Scotland. The town of Reay, from which the surname is taken, is located near the north coast of mainland Scotland and has a long history dating back to at least the medieval period.
The name Reay is believed to have originated from the Old Norse "rath-øy," meaning "land at the point," which likely refers to the geographical location of the town on a promontory jutting out into the North Sea.
The surname Reay is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the northern regions, but also has a presence in other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond. Like many surnames with a locational origin, individuals bearing the name Reay may have ancestral connections to the town of Reay, or its surrounding areas.
Over the years, the surname Reay has been carried by various notable individuals, contributing to fields such as academia, the arts, politics, and beyond. The name remains a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, reflecting the diverse heritage and history of the British Isles.
There are approximately 5,648 people named Reay in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,675th most common surname in Britain. Around 87 in a million people in Britain are named Reay.
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
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Hazel
- Jean
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.