Rattray Surname

Introduction

The surname Rattray is an intriguing and storied name that has origins in various countries around the world. With a significant incidence in the United States, Scotland, Canada, Jamaica, England, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, the Rattray surname can be traced back to different historical periods and cultural influences. In this article, we will explore the history, meaning, and prevalence of the Rattray surname in different parts of the world.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Rattray is of Scottish origin and is believed to be derived from the Old Gaelic name "Raith," which means a fortified dwelling or settlement. The addition of "tray" is thought to indicate the location of the settlement, possibly near a river or a body of water. This suggests that the Rattray surname may have originally been used to refer to someone who lived near or worked at a fortified dwelling.

Scotland

In Scotland, the Rattray surname has a long and rich history. It is primarily found in the county of Perthshire, where the village of Rattray is located. The surname is believed to have originated from this village and its surrounding area, where the Rattray family may have been prominent landowners or residents. The incidence of the Rattray surname in Scotland is significant, with over 1,300 recorded instances.

United States

The Rattray surname has also made its way across the Atlantic to the United States, where it has a notable presence. With over 1,700 recorded instances, the Rattray name has been adopted by numerous American families over the years. Many of these families may have Scottish or British ancestry, which explains the popularity of the Rattray surname in the United States.

Canada

In Canada, the Rattray surname is less common compared to the United States and Scotland, with around 1,100 recorded instances. However, the name still maintains a presence in various Canadian provinces, particularly in areas with large Scottish or British populations. The Rattray surname in Canada likely has its roots in Scottish immigration to the country in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Jamaica

The incidence of the Rattray surname in Jamaica is significant, with close to 1,000 recorded instances. The presence of the Rattray surname in Jamaica can be attributed to historical connections between Scotland and Jamaica, as well as the transatlantic slave trade. Some Rattray families in Jamaica may have roots in Scotland or other parts of the British Isles.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand, the Rattray surname has a smaller incidence compared to other countries, with around 700 and 500 recorded instances, respectively. The presence of the Rattray surname in these countries can be traced back to British colonization and immigration, where Scottish and English settlers may have brought the name with them to the Southern Hemisphere.

Conclusion

The Rattray surname is a fascinating and historically significant name that has spread across the globe, from Scotland to the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Australia, and New Zealand. With its origins in a Gaelic word meaning a fortified dwelling, the Rattray surname has deep roots in Scottish history and culture. Whether as landowners, residents, or immigrants, the Rattray family has left a lasting legacy in various parts of the world, making their mark on history and genealogy.

The surname Rattray within the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same occurs in the case of Rattray, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it's a surname that may be found in all the countries of this globe. In the same way you can find nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Rattray is greater than in other countries.

The map associated with Rattray surname

View Rattray surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Rattray in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible number of people using the surname Rattray, to acquire in this way the particular information of all the Rattray that you could presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not just in which the surname Rattray comes from, but also in what way the folks who're initially an element of the family members that bears the surname Rattray have moved and moved. Just as, you are able to see by which places they will have settled and grown up, which explains why if Rattray is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations regarding the globe it is possible that certain of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Rattray worldwide

  1. United States United States (1725)
  2. Scotland Scotland (1322)
  3. Canada Canada (1091)
  4. Jamaica Jamaica (957)
  5. England England (956)
  6. Australia Australia (734)
  7. New Zealand New Zealand (513)
  8. South Africa South Africa (275)
  9. Wales Wales (94)
  10. Nicaragua Nicaragua (9)
  11. Peru Peru (6)
  12. Malta Malta (4)
  13. Sweden Sweden (4)
  14. Switzerland Switzerland (4)
  15. Netherlands Netherlands (3)
  16. Denmark Denmark (3)
  17. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (3)
  18. Bolivia Bolivia (2)
  19. Germany Germany (2)
  20. France France (2)
  21. Indonesia Indonesia (1)
  22. Ireland Ireland (1)
  23. Isle of Man Isle of Man (1)
  24. Japan Japan (1)
  25. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (1)
  26. Mexico Mexico (1)
  27. Norway Norway (1)
  28. Oman Oman (1)
  29. Portugal Portugal (1)
  30. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (1)
  31. Afghanistan Afghanistan (1)
  32. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (1)
  33. Belgium Belgium (1)
  34. Eritrea Eritrea (1)