The surname Ray has several origins. Ray is a historical title of royalty and nobility in the Indian subcontinent used by rulers and chieftains of many princely states. It is derived from Raja. The Marathi/Telugu variant Rai was used as a substitute to King. Rai has no trace in sanskrit origin and ray is also called rai.wikipedia

Origin of the surname

In some cases it originate from a

nickname A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

, derived from the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...

''rei'', ''roy'', meaning "king", which was sometimes also used as a

personal name A personal name, or full name, in onomastic terminology also known as prosoponym (from Ancient Greek πρόσωπον / ''prósōpon'' - person, and ὄνομα / ''onoma'' - name), is the set of names by which an individual person is known ...

. This nickname may have denoted a person's pride or swagger, someone's appearance, Cottle (1969) pp. 158, 235. or regal behavior or bearing, Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). or may have referred to achievement in a contest, royal service, or may have denoted someone who presided over certain festive celebrations. Early examples of forms of this surname include: William Lerei, in 1195 (

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the No ...

); Robert Raie, in 1206 (

Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire (abbreviated Cambs.) is a Counties of England, county in the East of England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the north-east, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and North ...

); and Thomas filius Rey, in 1296 (Cambridgeshire). Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223. In other cases, the surname originates from a nickname derived from the northern

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

''rā'', ''rae'', ''ray'' (

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...

''rā'', Old Norse ''rā''), meaning "

roe deer The roe deer (''Capreolus capreolus''), also known as the roe, western roe deer, or European roe, is a species of deer. The male of the species is sometimes referred to as a roebuck. The roe is a small deer, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapt ...

", or the Middle English ''ray'' Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). (Old English ''rœge''), meaning "female roe deer". This nickname may have denoted a timid person or a swift runner. In other cases, the surname is derived from the

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

''Mac Raith'', a surname derived from the Gaelic personal name ''Macraith'', "son of grace". Early examples of forms of this surname include: Alexander Macrad, in about 1225 (

Dumbartonshire Dunbartonshire ( gd, Siorrachd Dhùn Breatann) or the County of Dumbarton is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbartonshire borders P ...

); Patric McRe, in 1376 (

Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries (''Siorrachd Dhùn Phris'' in Gaelic) is a historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the historic county. I ...

); and Adam McCreich, in 1438. In other cases, the surname is a variant of ''

Rye Rye (''Secale cereale'') is a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe (Triticeae) and is closely related to both wheat (''Triticum'') and barley (genus ''Hordeum''). Rye grain is u ...

''. In such cases, the surname may originate from two locative names: one is derived from a form of the Middle English ''atter ye'', "meaning at the island" (Old English ''œt thœre ige''), for someone who lived on an island or a patch of firm ground; the other is derived from a form of the Middle English ''atter eye'', meaning "at the river" (Old English ''œt thœre eœ'') for someone who lived near a river or stream. Early examples of forms of the surname ''Rye'' include: William de Rye, in 1240 (

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and G ...

); Ralph de Rye, in 1248 (Essex); and Ralph de la Reye, in 1279 (

Oxfordshire Oxfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the north west of South East England. It is a mainly rural county, with its largest settlement being the city of Oxford. The county is a centre of research and development, primarily ...

). In other cases, the surname may be a variant of the surname '' Wray'', a variant of '' Wroe'', derived from the Middle English ''wroe'' ( Old Scandinavian ''vrá''), meaning "nook, corner of land". Early examples of forms of the surname ''Wray'' include: Willelmus del Wra, in 1379 (

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

); Ricardus del Wra, in 1377 (

West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of England. It is an inland and upland county having eastward-draining valleys while taking in the moors of the Pennines. West Yorkshire came into exi ...

); and Willelmus in the Wraa, in 1379 (West Yorkshire). In other cases, the surname is of

Ashkenazic Jewish Ashkenazi Jews ( ; he, יְהוּדֵי אַשְׁכְּנַז, translit=Yehudei Ashkenaz, ; yi, אַשכּנזישע ייִדן, Ashkenazishe Yidn), also known as Ashkenazic Jews or ''Ashkenazim'',, Ashkenazi Hebrew pronunciation: , singu ...

origin. In other cases, the surname may have originated as locative name, derived from the Old French ''raier'', meaning "to gush, stream, or pour". ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). In other cases, the surname is a variant of

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n surname ''

Rai RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana (; commercially styled as Rai since 2000; known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane) is the national public broadcasting company of Italy, owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. RAI operates many terr ...

''. In some case, the surname ''Rai'' is derived from the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

''raja'', meaning "king". In other cases, specifically in

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

, the origin of the surname is unknown. '' Rai Family History'' (n.d.).

People with this surname

* Adam E. Ray (1808–1865), American politician *

Adam Ray (comedian) Adam Ray is an American comedian, actor, voice-over artist, and YouTuber. Early life Ray was raised in Seattle and attended Shorecrest High School. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Southern California. Career Ray joine ...

, American comedian and actor *

Adil Ray Adil Ray ( ur, عادل رے, born 26 April 1974) is a British actor, comedian and radio/television presenter. Ray stars in the BBC One comedy '' Citizen Khan'', which he created and co-writes, as well as presenting on various BBC radio station ...

(born 1974), British radio and television presenter *

Aindrita Ray Aindrita Ray (born 3 March 1985) is an Indian actress, primarily appearing in Kannada films. She made her acting debut in 2007, starring in ''Meravanige'' and went on to appear in several commercially successful films, establishing herself as a ...

(born 1984), Indian film actress *

A. N. Ray Ajit Nath Ray (29 January 1912 – 25 December 2009) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 25 April 1973 till his retirement on 28 January 1977. Ray was the lone dissenter among the eleven Supreme Court judges that examine ...

Ajit Nath Ray (1912–2010), Indian Bengali jurist *

Aldo Ray Aldo Ray (born Aldo Da Re; September 25, 1926 – March 27, 1991) was an American actor of film and television. He began his career as a contract player for Columbia Studios before achieving stardom through his roles in '' The Marrying Kind ...

(1926–1991), American actor *

Allan Ray Allan Nathaniel Ray (born June 17, 1984) is an American sports agent and former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for four years at Villanova University. He played one season ( 2006–07) with the Boston Celtics of the ...

(born 1984), American professional basketball player *

Amy Ray Amy Elizabeth Ray (born April 12, 1964) is an American alto singer-songwriter and member of the contemporary folk duo Indigo Girls. She also pursues a solo career and has released six albums under her own name, and founded a record company, Daemo ...

(born 1964), American singer-songwriter, member of the Indigo Girls *

Andrew Ray Andrew Ray (31 May 193920 August 2003) was an English actor who was best known as a child star. Biography He was born Andrew Olden (Ray was his father's stage name) in Southgate, Middlesex, the son of the radio comic Ted Ray and his wife, sho ...

(1939–2003), British actor * Anna Chapin Ray (1865–1945), American author *

Annada Shankar Ray Annada Shankar Ray (15 March 1904 – 28 October 2002) was an Indian poet and essayist in Bengali. He also wrote some Odia poetry. He wrote several Bengali poems criticising the Partition of India. Most notable is "''Teler shishi bhaanglo bole k ...

(1904–2002), Indian Bengali poet and essayist * Benjamin Ray (born 1819), American politician *

Bharatchandra Ray Bharatchandra Ray Gunakor ( bn, ভারতচন্দ্র রায় গুণাকর; 1712–1760) was an 18th-century Bengali and Sanskrit Sakta court poet and song composer. He is mostly known for his poetic work, '' Annadamangal'' or ...

(1712–1760), Indian Bengali poet and composer *

Bill Ray (disambiguation) Bill Ray may refer to: * Bill Ray (bishop) (born 1950), Anglican bishop of North Queensland in Australia * Bill Ray (politician) (1922–2013), American businessman, politician, and writer * Bill Ray (photojournalist) Bill Ray (1936–2020) w ...

, several people :*

Bill Ray (bishop) William James Ray is an Australian retired bishop. He was the tenth Anglican bishop of North Queensland in Australia.Bill Ray (politician) William C. Ray Sr. (April 6, 1922 – September 9, 2013) was an American businessman, politician, and writer. He served as a member of the Alaska Legislature for 22 years (six in the House and an additional 16 in the Senate) as a Democrat repr ...

(1922–2013), American businessman, politician, and writer :*

Bill Ray (photojournalist) Bill Ray (1936–2020) was an American photojournalism, photojournalist whose long career included twelve years of work for Life (magazine), ''Life'' magazine spanning the 1960s. He was responsible for extensive photo essays and issue covers. ...

(1936–2020), photojournalist *

Billy Ray (screenwriter) Billy Ray (born 1962) is an American screenwriter and film director. He began writing for television and movies in 1994 with ''Color of Night.'' He has written numerous films including '' Captain Phillips'' (2013) and ''Richard Jewell'' (2019). ...

, screenwriter, director, and producer *Blaine Ray, American creator of TPR Storytelling *

Bob Ray Bob Ray is an independent American filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. In 1994 Ray founded the production company CrashCam Films. CrashCam Films' first productions were narrative Super 8 mm films and music videos. Bob Ray's in-camera-edited Sup ...

, American filmmaker *

Bobby Ray (actor) Bobby Ray (born Wilhelm Robert McBain Fuehrer, October 6, 1899 – March 26, 1957) was an American film comedian of the silent era. He appeared in more than sixty short films between 1914 and 1927, including a group from the mid-1920s featurin ...

(1899–1957), American comedian and film director * Bobby Ray (singer), American recording artist from Texas *

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Bobby Ray Barbosa Parks Jr. (born February 19, 1993) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the Japanese B.League. A 6'4" Guard (basketball), guard, he played college basketball for the NU Bulldogs f ...

, Filipino professional basketball player * Bonnie Ray, American statistician and data scientist *

Brian Ray Brian Thomas Ray (born January 4, 1955) is an American session musician, guitarist, bassist, singer–songwriter, and musical director. He is best known for his work as a bass, rhythm, and lead guitarist with Paul McCartney's touring band, ...

(born 1955), American musician *

Charles A. Ray Charles Aaron Ray (born July 5, 1945) is an American former diplomat who acted as the U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe between 2009 and 2012. He is a former Foreign Service Officer and career member of the Senior Foreign Service who held the positi ...

(1829-1912), American judge *

Charles W. Ray Charles W. Ray (August 6, 1872 - March 23, 1959) was a sergeant in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine–American War. Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company I, 22d U.S ...

(1872–1959), American recipient of Medal of Honor *

Chris Ray Christopher Thomas Ray (born January 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners. Early life and c ...

(born 1982), American baseball pitcher *

Clifford Ray Clifford Ray (born January 21, 1949) is an American former professional basketball coach and player who is a consultant for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played three of his ten seasons in the NBA with the Chi ...

(born 1949), American basketball coach and former player *

Daniel Burrill Ray Daniel Burrill Ray (5 February 1928, Cleveland, Ohio – 19 February 1979) was an American mathematician. He is known for Ray-Singer torsion. Ray received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude in 1949 from Harvard College and his Ph.D. from Corne ...

(1928–1979), American mathematician *

Danny Ray (singer) Danny Ray (born 3 September 1951) is a Jamaican-born reggae singer and record producer who has been based in the United Kingdom since the late 1960s. He recorded for MCA Records and Trojan Records in the early 1970s and later set up his own Black ...

(born 1951), Jamaican-born reggae singer and record producer * Danny Ray (saxophonist) (born 1951), American saxophonist *

David Parker Ray David Parker Ray (November 6, 1939 – May 28, 2002), also known as the Toy-Box Killer, was an American kidnapper, torturer, serial rapist and suspected serial killer. Though no bodies were found, Ray was accused by his accomplices of killing s ...

(1939–2002), American suspected serial killer (known as the "Toy-Box Killer") David Ray (1932-. ), American poet *

David R. Ray David Robert "Bobby" Ray (February 14, 1945 – March 19, 1969) was a United States Navy hospital corpsman second class who was killed in action during the Vietnam War while assigned to an artillery battery of the United States Marine Corps. He ...

(1945–1969), United States Navy sailor *

Dave "Snaker" Ray Dave "Snaker" Ray (August 17, 1943 – November 28, 2002) was an American blues singer and guitarist from St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, associated with Spider John Koerner and Tony "Little Sun" Glover in the early Sixties folk revival. Tog ...

(1943–2002), American blues singer and guitarist *

Dixy Lee Ray Dixy Lee Ray (September 3, 1914 – January 2, 1994) was an American politician who served as the 17th governor of Washington from 1977 to 1981. Variously described as idiosyncratic and "ridiculously smart," she was the state's first female gover ...

(1914–1994), American scientist and politician, former Governor of Washington * Dorothy Jean Ray (born 1919), American anthropologist *

Dwijendralal Ray Dwijendralal Ray (19 July 1863 – 17 May 1913), also known as D. L. Ray, was an Indian poet, playwright, and musician. He was known for his Hindu mythological and nationalist historical plays and songs known as ''Dwijendrageeti'' or the ''So ...

(1863–1913), Indian Bengali poet, playwright, and musician *

Edgar Ray Edgar Ray (24 April 1828 – 23 August 1905) This article goes into great detail on Ray's family and early life. was an English entrepreneur who launched two magazines in Australia, ''Melbourne Punch'' and ''Sydney Punch''. On his return to Englan ...

(1828–1905), founder of "Punch" magazines in Australia *

Elise Ray Mary Elise Ray (born February 6, 1982) is an American gymnast who represented the United States at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the 1999 World Championships. She was the head gymnastics coach at the University of Washington from 2016 to 2020. ...

(born 1982), American gymnast *

Elmer Ray Elmer "Kid Violent" Ray (March 3, 1911 – May 20, 1987) was an American heavyweight boxer who fought from 1926 to 1949.1976 Chowchilla kidnapping The 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping was the abduction of a school bus driver and 26 children, ages 5 to 14, in Chowchilla, California, United States, on July 15, 1976. The kidnappers held their captives in a box truck buried in a quarry in Liverm ...

Fred Olen Ray Fred Olen Ray (born September 10, 1954) is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter of more than 200 low-to-medium-budget feature films in many genres, including Horror film, horror, science fiction, action film, action/adventure f ...

(born 1954), American director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and cinematographer *

Gabrielle Ray Gabrielle Ray (born Gabrielle Elizabeth Clifford Cook, 28 April 1883 – 21 May 1973), was an English stage actress, dancer and singer, best known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies. Ray was considered one of the most beautiful actresse ...

(1883–1973), British stage actress, dancer and singer *

Ganendra Narayan Ray Ganendra Narayan Ray (born 1 May 1933) is a Bengali Indian jurist, who served as the chief justice of the Gujarat High Court. Early life and education He was educated at the Presidency College, the Scottish Church College and the Department of ...

(born 1933), Indian Bengali jurist * Gene Ray, American, creator of website

Time Cube Time Cube was a personal web page, founded in 1997 by the self-proclaimed "wisest man on earth," Otis Eugene "Gene" Ray. It was a self-published outlet for Ray's theory of everything, also called "Time Cube," which polemically claims that all mo ...

Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray (May 24, 1962 – November 14, 2003) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He was known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film '' Fame'' and the 1982–1987 ''Fame'' television ser ...

(1962–2003), American actor, dancer, and choreographer * George Augustus Ray (1819–1893), American politician * Gordon Norton Ray (1915–1986), American biographer and professor of English *

Gourishankar Ray Gourishankar Ray, better known as Karmaveer Gourishankar, a prominent figure amongst the makers of Odisha, Modern Orissa (Odisha) as well as the savior of Odia language, Odia (Oriya) language and literature, who led the Save Oriya Movement duri ...

(1838–1917), Indian Odia language activist *

Greg Ray Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver. After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994. In 1997 he made his Indy Racing L ...

(born 1966), American IRL IndyCar Series driver * Herbert J. Ray (1893–1970), American admiral *

Isaac Ray Isaac Ray (January 16, 1807 – March 31, 1881) was an American psychiatrist, one of the founders of the discipline of forensic psychiatry. In 1838, he published ''A Treatise on the Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity'' (Boston), which served as an ...

(1807–1881), American psychiatrist * James Ray (disambiguation) several people, including: :*

James B. Ray James Brown Ray (February 19, 1794 – August 4, 1848) was an Indiana politician and the only Indiana Senate president pro tempore to be elevated to governor of the state of Indiana. Ray served during a time when the state transitioned from per ...

(1794–1848), American politician :*

James Earl Ray James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 – April 23, 1998) was an American fugitive convicted for assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. After this Ray was on the run and was capt ...

(1928–1998), American convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King :*

James Ray (rock musician) James Ray is a rock singer and band-leader, best known as a member of Andrew Eldritch's side-project The Sisterhood and for his own band James Ray's Gangwar. He was also a founding member of James Ray and The Performance, The MK Ultra, James Ra ...

, rock musician, member of The Sisterhood and James Ray's Gangwar :*

James Ray (singer) James Ray (born James Jay Raymond, 1941 – May 1963) was an American R&B singer of the early 1960s best known for the hit single "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which went to number 10 on the US ''Billboard'' R&B chart and number 22 ...

(1941–1964), African-American R&B singer * Jamini Bhushan Ray (1879–1926), Indian Bengali physician, Sanskritist, and philanthropist * Janisse Ray (born 1962), American writer, naturalist, and environmental activist *Jean Ray (1941–2007), American folk singer of

Jim and Jean Jim and Jean, composed of Jim Glover (born 1942) and Jean Ray (1941–2007)

duo *

Jean Ray (author) Jean Ray is the best-known pseudonym among the many used by Raymundus Joannes de Kremer (8 July 1887 – 17 September 1964), a prolific Belgian (Flemish) writer. Although he wrote journalism, stories for young readers in Dutch by the name John Fla ...

, Belgian writer *

Jeremy Ray Jeremy Ray (born 19 July 1984) is an Australian television presenter, video game reviewer and DJ. He is best known by his nickname "Junglist", and for co-creating and presenting '' Good Game''. Early life Ray was born in Sydney, Australia. At ...

, Australian television presenter and video game reviewer *

Jimmy Ray James Ray (born 3 October 1970), known professionally by his stage name Jimmy Ray, is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Career In press interviews and promotional materials, Ray cited his influence by the music of Elvis Presley and o ...

(born 1970), British pop-rock musician *Joe Ray, of

Nero (musicians) Nero (stylised as NERO) are a British electronic music trio composed of members Dan Stephens, Joe Ray and Alana Watson. On 12 August 2011, they released their debut studio album, ''Welcome Reality'', which reached number one in the UK Albums Ch ...

, British dubstep trio *

John Ray John Ray FRS (29 November 1627 – 17 January 1705) was a Christian English naturalist widely regarded as one of the earliest of the English parson-naturalists. Until 1670, he wrote his name as John Wray. From then on, he used 'Ray', after ...

(1627–1705), British naturalist * John H. Ray (1886–1975), American politician *

Johnnie Ray John Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Highly popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor to what became rock and roll, for his jazz and blu ...

(1927–1990), American singer, songwriter, and pianist *

Johnny Ray (racing driver) John Ray (March 25, 1937 – January 27, 2020) was an American stock car racing driver. The father of Kevin Ray, he was a competitor in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Career Ray began his career at the top level of NASCAR competition, the Winsto ...

(born 1937), American NASCAR driver *

Johnny Ray (second baseman) Johnny Cornelius Ray (born March 1, 1957) is an American former second baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who had a 10-year career from 1981 to 1990. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the California An ...

(born 1957), American baseball player *

Joie Ray (athlete) Joseph William "Joie" Ray (April 13, 1894 – May 13, 1978) was an American track and field athlete and member of the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame. He held world records for the and distances. He represented the Unit ...

(Joseph W. Ray; 1894–1978), American middle-distance runner *

Joie Ray (racing driver) Joseph Reynolds "Joie" Ray Jr. (September 29, 1923 – April 13, 2007) was an American open-wheel and stock-car racer. Ray was born in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1947, Ray was the first African American licensed by the American Automobile Associati ...

(Joseph Reynolds Ray, Jr.; 1923–2007), American race car driver *

Jonah Ray Jonah Ray Rodrigues (born August 3, 1982) is an American actor, comedian and writer from Los Angeles. He stars as Jonah Heston, the most recent primary host of ''Mystery Science Theater 3000''. He is a former host of ''The Nerdist Podcast'' and w ...

(born 1982), American actor, comedian and writer * Joseph Ray (disambiguation), includes **

Joseph Warren Ray Joseph Warren Ray (May 25, 1849 – September 15, 1928) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Joseph W. Ray was born near Nineveh, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and was graduated from W ...

(1849–1928), American politician * Karen B. Ray, American politician *

Ken Ray Kenneth Alan Ray (born November 27, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. Ray made his MLB debut on July 10, , for the Royals. Early career After briefly pitching for ...

(born 1974), American baseball pitcher * LaBryan Ray (born 1997), American football player *

Lionel Ray Lionel Ray (born Robert Lorho; 19 January 1935, in Mantes-la-Ville) is a French poet and essayist. Biography Born of a Breton father and a Walloon mother, he spent his childhood in the town of Mantes-la-Jolie. He published several collections u ...

(born 1935), French poet and essayist *

Lisa Ray Lisa Rani Ray (born 4 April 1972) is a Canadian actress and model who has also worked internationally. Ray began her modelling career in India in the early 1990s, appearing for leading Indian brands like Bombay Dyeing and Lakmé. She made her a ...

(born 1972), Canadian actress and former model *

Little Ray Little Ray also known as Ray Jimenez, is an American Chicano rock and brown-eyed soul musician, prominent in the 1960s. Jimenez was born and raised in Delano, California, and later moved to East Los Angeles. Jimenez briefly sang with Thee Midnite ...

, American musician *

Man Ray Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky; August 27, 1890 – November 18, 1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris. He was a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealism, Surrealist movements, although his t ...

(1890–1976), American artist *

Manju Ray Manju Ray was an Indian scientist specializing in Molecular Enzymology and Cancer Biochemistry. Her research has contributed significantly to the development of anticancer drugs and understanding the differentiation process of cells. Her interests ...

, Indian biochemist and cancer researcher *

Mary Ruth Ray Mary Ruth Ray (1956–2013) was an internationally known classical musician who received critical acclaim throughout the United States, Europe and Russia. Career Ray was a faculty member at Brandeis University where she taught viola and chamber ...

(1956–2013), American classical violist * Mike Ray (born 1936), Canadian politician *Marcus Ray, main character in

Knock Off (film) ''Knock Off'' is a 1998 action film directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Rob Schneider. The film was released in the United States on September 4, 1998. The title is a double entendre, as the term colloquially refers to ...

Nicholas Ray Nicholas Ray (born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle Jr., August 7, 1911 – June 16, 1979) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor best known for the 1955 film ''Rebel Without a Cause.'' He is appreciated for many narrative features pr ...

(1911–1979), American filmmaker *

Niharranjan Ray Niharranjan Ray (1903–1981) was an Indian Bengali historian, well known for his works on the history of art and Indian history. Early life and education He was born on 14 January 1903 at Kayetgram village of Mymensingh District in Bengal provi ...

(1903–1981), Indian Bengali historian * Norman W. Ray (born 1942), American admiral *

Ola Ray Ola Ray (born August 26, 1960) is an American actress and model most notable for her role as the girlfriend of Michael Jackson in the music video ''Thriller''. Career Ray modeled for ''Playboy'' and was the Playmate of the Month for the June ...

(born 1960), American model and actress *

Prafulla Chandra Ray Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray, CIE, FNI, FRASB, FIAS, FCS (also spelled Prafulla Chandra Rây and Prafulla Chandra Roy; bn, প্রফুল্ল চন্দ্র রায় ''Praphulla Chandra Rāy''; 2 August 1861 – 16 June 1944 ...

(1861–1944), Indian Bengali chemist, educator and entrepreneur *

Pratibha Ray Pratibha Ray (born 21 January 1944) is an Indian academic and writer of Odia-language novels and stories. For her contribution to the Indian literature, Ray received the Jnanpith Award in 2011. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022. Life ...

(born 1943), Indian Odia writer *

Rabi Ray Rabi Ray (26 November 1926 – 6 March 2017) was an Indian socialist politician, a Gandhian, a speaker of the Lok Sabha and a former Union minister. He hailed from Odisha. He joined the Socialist Party in 1948, and later became member of the Sam ...

(born 1926), Indian Odia politician, former speaker of Lok Sabha *

Rachael Ray Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She hosts the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program ''Rachael Ray'', and the Food Network series '' 30 Minute Meals''. ...

(born 1968), American television personality, celebrity chef and author *

Radhanath Ray Radhanath Ray ( or, ରାଧାନାଥ ରାୟ) (28 September 1848 – 17 April 1908) was an Odia writer of initial modernity era in Odia poetry during the later part of nineteenth century. He was born in a Zamindar family in Baleshwa ...

(1848–1908), Indian Odia poet *

Raja Sitaram Ray Raja Sitaram Ray ( bn, রাজা সীতারাম রায়) (1658–1714) was an autonomous king, a vassal to the Mughal Empire, who revolted against the empire and established a short-lived sovereign Hindu dominion in Bengal region ...

(1658–1714), Indian rebel king who fought against the Mughal Empire *

Ray brothers Ricky (January 28, 1977 – December 13, 1992), Robert D (January 27, 1978 – October 20, 2000) and Randy Ray (born June 3, 1979) were three hemophiliac brothers who were diagnosed with HIV in 1986 due to blood transfusions. Biography Ricky, Robe ...

, American, three hemophiliac brothers diagnosed with HIV in 1986 *

Reginald Ray Reginald Ray (born 1942) is an American Buddhist academic and teacher. Ray studied Tibetan Buddhism, traditional shamanic wisdom, and yogic-contemplative practices with the Tibetan refugee and recognized Vajrayana traditional-wisdom holder Chög ...

, American Buddhist academic and Vajra Master *

Renuka Ray Renuka Ray (1904–1997) was a noted freedom-fighter, social activist and politician of India. She was a descendant of Brahmo reformer, Nibaran Chandra Mukherjee, and daughter of Satish Chandra Mukherjee, an ICS officer, and Charulata Mukherj ...

(1904–1997), Indian Bengali social activist *

Rex Ray Rex Ray (September 11, 1956 – February 9, 2015) was an American graphic designer and collage artist, based in San Francisco. Biography Born as Michael Patterson on September 11, 1956, on a United States Army base in Germany, and he was raised ...

, American fine artist and graphic designer *

Richie Ray Ricardo "Richie" Ray (born February 15, 1945) is a Nuyorican (a New York-born Puerto Rican) virtuoso pianist, singer, music arranger, composer and religious minister known for his success beginning in 1965 as part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby ...

(born 1945), American musician and minister of duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz *

Ricky Ray Ricky Ray (born October 22, 1979) is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. Ray spent the majority of his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also ...

(born 1979), Canadian and American football quarterback *

Rob Ray Robert John Ray (born June 8, 1968) is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 for ...

(born 1968), Canadian sports broadcaster and former ice hockey player *

Robbie Ray Robert Glenn Ray (born October 1, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays. Ray was an ML ...

(born 1991), American baseball pitcher *

Robbie Ray (racing driver) Robbie Ray (born November 3, 1982 in Davenport, Iowa) is an American professional auto racing driver. He races midget cars on the United States Auto Club (USAC) National tour. He won the 2003 Indiana (Midwest) regional midget championship and the ...

, American racing driver * Robert Ray (disambiguation), several people *

Robert D. Ray Robert Dolph Ray (September 26, 1928 – July 8, 2018) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He served as the 38th governor of Iowa from January 16, 1969 to January 14, 1983. During his tenure as governor, Ray served as chair of t ...

(1928–2018), Governor of Iowa 1969 to 1983 :* Robert D. Ray (1978–2000), one of the

(above) :*

Robert R. Ray Robert R. Ray was an American soldier and politician. He served in the Union Army and as a sheriff and state legislator in Louisiana. He and John Gair were driven from office by violent white supremacists and White Leaguers. Ray was part of the S ...

, Reconstruction era sheriff and state legislator in Feliciana, Louisiana :*

Robert Ray (artist) Robert Ray (October 24, 1924 – March 29, 2002) was an American people, American artist, active in the middle to late twentieth century. Early life, travel and education Robert Donald Ray was born in Denver, Colorado in 1924; one of two sons ...

(1924–2002), American artist :*

Robert Ray (Australian politician) Robert Francis Ray (born 8 April 1947) is a former Australian politician who was a Labor Party senator from 1981 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria. Biography Early life Ray was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and educated at Monash Uni ...

(born 1947), Labor Party Senator for Victoria :*

Robert Ray (prosecutor) Robert William Ray (born April 4, 1960) is an American lawyer. As the successor to Ken Starr as the head of the Office of the Independent Counsel (1999 to 2002) he investigated and issued the final reports on the Whitewater controversy, the Whit ...

(born 1960), final Whitewater Special Counsel :*

Robert Ray (baseball) Robert Andrew Ray (born January 21, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 and 2010. Career Amateur Ray attended Texas A&M University, and in 2004, ...

(born 1984), baseball pitcher *

Robin Ray Robin Ray (17 September 1934 – 29 November 1998Roger T. Stearn, "Ray, Robin (1 ...

(1934–1998), British actor, musician and broadcaster *

Ronnie Ray Ronnie Ray (born January 2, 1954) is an American retired male track and field athlete, who competed in the sprints events during his career. He is best known for winning the men's 400 metres event at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Me ...

(born 1954), American track and field athlete *

Ruth Ray Ruth Ray (1919–1977) was an American painter in the Magic Realism style. Educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Art Students League of New York, she drew inspiration from the horses and farm life of New England. Biogra ...

(1919–1977), American artist *

Sandip Ray Sandip Ray (born 8 September 1953) is an Indian film director and music director who mainly works in Bengali cinema. He is the only child of the famous Bengali director Satyajit Ray and Bijoya Ray. Life and education Sandip Ray was born in C ...

(born 1953), Indian Bengali filmmaker *

Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (; 2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian director, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and music composer. One of the greatest auteurs of fil ...

(1921–1992), Indian Bengali filmmaker *

Scottie Ray Scott Rayow, often credited as Scottie Ray, is an American voice actor who has worked for NYAV Post, DuArt Film and Video, 4Kids Entertainment and Central Park Media. He is best known for voicing The Shredder ''The'' () is a grammatical art ...

(born 1964), American voice actor *

Shawn Ray Shawn Ray (born September 9, 1965 in Placentia, California, U.S.) is a former professional bodybuilder and author. Bodybuilding career In his 2005 interview, Ray said, "the two influences that were the main reasons that I got into bodybuilding i ...

(born 1965) American author and former professional bodybuilder *

Sibnarayan Ray Sibnarayan Ray (1921–2008) was an Indian thinker, educationist, philosopher and literary critic who wrote in the Bengali language. A radical humanist, he is widely reputed for his works on Marxist-revolutionary Manabendra Nath Roy, and famous ...

(1921–2008), Indian Bengali educationist, philosopher and literary critic *

Siddhartha Shankar Ray Siddhartha Shankar Ray (20 October 1920 – 6 November 2010) was an Indian lawyer, diplomat and Indian National Congress politician from West Bengal. In his political career he held a number of offices, including Union Minister of Education (1 ...

(1920–2010), chief minister of West Bengal and governor of Punjab *

Siddharth Ray Siddharth Ray (19 July 1963– 8 March 2004), born Sushant Ray, was a film actor in Hindi and Marathi films. He also appeared in a few south Indian films. He was the grandson of filmmaker V. Shantaram. Personal life Siddharth Ray was born in ...

(1963–2004), Indian Marathi actor *

Sidney Herbert Ray Sidney Herbert Ray (28 May 1858 – 1 January 1939) was a British comparative and descriptive linguist who specialised in Melanesian languages.Papers and field notes relating to his linguistic work are held bSOAS Special Collections/ref> In 189 ...

(1858–1939), American linguist *

Stevie Ray Lash Steven Huffman (born August 22, 1958) is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray is best known for his seven-year tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1993 to 200 ...

(born 1958), American wrestler *

Sukumar Ray Sukumar Ray (; 30 October 1887 – 10 September 1923) was a Bengali writer and poet from the Indian subcontinent. He is remembered mainly for his writings for children. He was the son of children's story writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and ...

(1887–1923), Indian Bengali nonsense poet, story writer and playwright *

Tanika Ray Tanika Ray is an American entertainment reporter. She was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Los Angeles, California. Tanika Ray is a pop culture & lifestyle specialist with a holistic view of the cross-sections of culture. Her mission is ...

, American television personality *

Ted Ray (comedian) Ted Ray (born Charles Olden; 21 November 1905 – 8 November 1977) was an English comedian of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, on radio and television. His BBC radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' ran for 12 years. Biography Ray was born Charles Olden i ...

(1905–1977), British comedian *

Ted Ray (golfer) Edward Rivers John "Ted" Ray (6 April 1877 – 26 August 1943) was a British professional golfer, one of the leading players of the first quarter of the 20th century. He won two major championships, the Open Championship in 1912 and the U.S. Op ...

(1877–1943), British professional golfer *

Thomas S. Ray Thomas S. Ray (also known as Tom Ray; born September 21, 1954) is an ecologist who created and developed the Tierra project, a computer simulation of artificial life. In 1975, he and Donald R. Strong were the first to propose the theory of sko ...

, American ecologist who created the Tierra project * Upendrakishore Ray (1863–1915), Indian Bengali writer, painter, violinist and composer * William Ray (disambiguation) several people, including :* Sir

William Ray (British politician) Sir William Ray (7 February 1876 – 30 September 1937) was a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom. He was knighted in 1928. Ray was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the ...

, Leader of London County Council, MP for Richmond :* William Ray (medicine) (1884–1953), academic in Adelaide, South Australia :* William H. Ray (1812–1881), United States Representative from Illinois :*

William Hallett Ray William Hallett Ray (May 25, 1825 – May 7, 1909) was a Canadian politician, farmer, and merchant. Born in Clementsport, Annapolis Valley, where he worked as a farmer and a merchant, Ray was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly fo ...

(1825–1909), Canadian politician, farmer, and merchant :* William M. Ray (born 1963), American judge * Wyatt Ray (born 1996), American football player

Fictional characters

Amuro Ray is a fictional character introduced in Sunrise's 1979 anime series ''Mobile Suit Gundam''. Amuro is a mechanic who becomes the pilot of the mecha known as RX-78-2 Gundam to protect himself from the Zeon forces invading his space colony during the ...

* Charles Lee Ray

Citations

References

* * * * * * * * * {{Authority control English-language surnames Indian surnames Bengali Hindu surnames

Origin of the surname

People with this surname

Fictional characters

See also

Citations

References