Type Surname (from location & from occupation)
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. /ˈɹaɪ/  [key·simplify]

Meaning & History

Topographic name. It could be a misdivision of the Middle English phrases atter ye meaning "at the island" or atter eye meaning "at the river". In some cases it merely indicated a person who lived where rye was grown or worked with rye (from Old English ryge).

Related Names

VariantRay

Categories

Entry updated December 14, 2019