Cray Surname

The History of the Cray Surname

The surname Cray is of English origin and has a rich history dating back centuries. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname, deriving from various places in England with names such as Cray in Kent, Cray in Northumberland, and Cray in Devon. The name Cray is derived from the Old English word "craeg," meaning "rock" or "crag," indicating that the original bearers of the surname may have lived near rocky or craggy terrain.

Early Origins of the Cray Surname

Records show that the Cray surname dates back to the early medieval period in England. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where a John de la Craye was listed as a landowner. The surname continued to be prominent in various regions of England throughout the medieval period, with individuals bearing the name Cray recorded in parish registers, tax records, and other historical documents.

Migration and Spread of the Cray Surname

Over time, the Cray surname began to spread beyond England to other parts of the world due to migration, colonization, and trade. The surname can be found in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, among others. The distribution of the Cray surname in different countries can vary, with the highest incidences of the surname found in the United States, followed by England, Cambodia, and Australia.

Notable Bearers of the Cray Surname

Throughout history, individuals bearing the surname Cray have made significant contributions in various fields such as politics, literature, music, and science. One of the most notable bearers of the Cray surname is the American blues musician Robert Cray, known for his distinctive guitar playing and soulful vocals. Another prominent figure with the Cray surname is the British author and illustrator Oliver Cray, known for his popular children's books.

Variant Spellings of the Cray Surname

Like many surnames, the Cray surname has undergone various spelling variations over time. Some of the common variant spellings of the surname include Gray, Grey, Cragg, and McCray. These variations can be attributed to factors such as regional dialects, illiteracy, and clerical errors in historical records. Despite these differences in spelling, individuals with variant forms of the Cray surname may still be connected through shared ancestry.

Modern Day Popularity of the Cray Surname

While the Cray surname may not be as common as some other surnames, it continues to be used by individuals and families around the world. The surname has retained its unique and distinctive character, making it a point of pride for those who bear it. In the age of genealogy and family history research, the Cray surname holds value as a link to one's ancestors and heritage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Cray has a rich history and is associated with various regions in England and beyond. From its origins as a locational surname to its spread across different countries, the Cray surname has a fascinating story that continues to be unraveled through historical records and genealogical research. Whether as a musician, author, or everyday individual, those who bear the Cray surname carry on a legacy of resilience, creativity, and connection to their roots.

The surname Cray into the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to get African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar takes place in the case of Cray, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said it is a surname which can be found in all the countries associated with globe. Just as there are nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of individuals because of the surname Cray is higher than in other countries.

The map associated with Cray surname

View Cray surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Cray in the world, helps us plenty. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we could begin to see the tangible amount of people using the surname Cray, to obtain in this manner the precise information of all Cray that you could presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not merely in which the surname Cray comes from, but also in what way the individuals who're initially the main household that bears the surname Cray have moved and moved. Just as, you can see by which places they will have settled and developed, which is the reason why if Cray is our surname, this indicates interesting to which other countries of this world it will be possible this one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Cray on earth

If you consider it very carefully, at apellidos.de we provide everything required so that you can have the true information of which nations have actually the best number of people utilizing the surname Cray in the whole globe. Moreover, you can view them in a really graphic method on our map, when the nations because of the greatest number of people aided by the surname Cray is visible painted in a more powerful tone. In this manner, sufficient reason for just one glance, you can easily locate in which nations Cray is a very common surname, plus in which countries Cray can be an unusual or non-existent surname.

The fact that there was no unified spelling for the surname Cray when the first surnames were formed allows us to find many surnames similar to Cray.

Errors in writing, voluntary changes by the bearers, modifications for language reasons... There are many reasons why the surname Cray may have undergone changes or modifications, and from those modifications, surnames similar to Cray may have appeared, as we can see.

Cray Surname

Another Languages