Surname MacCray - Meaning and Origin
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MacCray: What does the surname MacCray mean?
The surname MacCray is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "MacRaith." The name is composed of the elements "mac," meaning "son of," and "Raith," a personal name meaning "prosperity" or "grace." Therefore, the surname MacCray can be interpreted as "son of Raith" or "son of prosperity/grace." It is a patronymic name, signifying descent from a person named Raith. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved, with variations including McCray, McCrea, McRae, and others. Such variants are products of phonetic translations from Gaelic to English, which occurred when English-speaking clerks recorded names, resulting in discrepancies and modifications. MacCray and its variants are particularly associated with the Scottish Highlands, notably the areas of Inverness and Kintail. Despite its origins, the name is now used by families with no direct or known connection to Scotland due to the mobility and intermixing of populations over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCray: Where does the name MacCray come from?
The surname MacCray is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Raith," meaning "son of fortune" or "son of grace." The surname could have emerged from a variety of clans in Scotland, but it is most commonly associated with the Macrae clan from the Highlands.
The original Gaelic form of the name MacCray is Mac Raith or Mac Rath. This name denotes a son of Raith or Rath. Despite that, variations of the surname MacCray can be found throughout Ireland, particularly in Ulster, due to the migration of Scottish clans to Ireland during the 1600s.
The MacCray name can still be found in Scotland today, particularly in the Highlands and in Aberdeen. However, due to widespread emigration from Scotland during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, bearers of the surname MacCray can be found in many English-speaking countries across the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname MacCray
The surname MacCray is of Scottish origin and has various variants and spellings, particularly due to different phonetic translations and regional differences over time.
Some of the known variants and spellings of the surname MacCray include: McCray, MacRae, McRae, MacRay, McRay, and Makray. Sometimes, the prefix "Mac/Mc" which means "son of" can also be dropped therefore, variants such as "Cray" or "Rae" can also be linked to MacCray.
Additionally, during periods of anglicization, some families may have changed the spelling to "Gray" since McRae/MacRae sounds similar. There can also be similar or connected surnames that may have roots to the surname MacRae, including MacGrath, MacCrae, MacCraith, MacGrory and MacRory.
Aside from these, the surname can also appear with various prefixes, such as the Gaelic Mac (son of), Mc (shortened form of Mac), and M' (an abbreviation of Mac), all potentially leading to numerous spellings and variations.
It’s important to remember that spelling wasn’t standardized until quite recently, and thus these surnames can have many variations in historical records. People often recorded a name as it was pronounced, which could lead to various different spellings.
Famous people with the name MacCray
There appear to be limited famous individuals with the last name MacCray. However, one well-known person in their sector is Wilbur Littlefield MacCray. MacCray was an important figure in the library sciences, serving as the Chief of the Division of Reference in the world-renowned New York Public Library during the early 20th century. His contributions to the field, particularly his work on improving the accessibility and organization of library resources, had a significant impact. MacCray's unique approach set a new standard for library sciences, and he is still recognized for his work in academic circles today. Please note that celebrities often go by stage names or pseudonyms, so there may be famous individuals with the last name MacCray who are publicly known by a different name.