Surname Rattray - Meaning and Origin

Rattray: What does the surname Rattray mean?

The surname Rattray has Scottish origins, derived from a geographical locality in Perthshire, Scotland. The word itself is a compound of two Brittonic words - "rath," which means "fort," and "rhaidh," which translates to "smooth or small." Hence, it can be interpreted as the "fort on a smooth or small piece of land." Bridging this historical significance to its modern meaning, the last name is generally associated with concepts of strength and smoothness. It was originally bestowed upon individuals inhabiting or hailing from the lands near the fort in Rattray, Scotland. Therefore, it's not only used as a family name but also indicates a geographic heritage. Like many surnames, Rattray tells a story about the family's past, their geographical origins, and their roles within their origin community.

Rattray: Where does the name Rattray come from?

The surname Rattray is most commonly found today in Scotland and Australia. In Scotland, it is found throughout the country, but is particularly concentrated in the Perthshire region. In Australia, it is primarily found in the nation’s capital, Canberra, but also appears throughout the eastern seaboard, from Brisbane in the north to Melbourne in the south.

Though it is a relatively uncommon surname, Rattray is a well-known Scottish name; in fact, the name was first given to a family that lived in Rattray, in the historic county of Angus, back in the 12th century. The Rattray family later branched out to the Strathearn region of Perthshire, and from there to other parts of Scotland.

The Britsh emigration to Australia during the 1700s and 1800s resulted in the name becoming more widely established Down Under than Scotland itself. As such, the Rattray family is now represented by hundreds of branches throughout Australia, including the Outback.

The name Rattray also occurs among expatriate Scottish populations in countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. In Scotland itself, the surname is still used as both a forename and a surname, particularly in Perthshire.

Variations of the surname Rattray

The surname Rattray is believed to originate from the lands of Rattray in North Perthshire, Scotland. These lands have associations with the ancient Pictish kingdom of Fortriu, and the family who held the lands was historically said to have descended from the Macbeths.

The most common variant spellings of the surname Rattray are Ratray, Ratree, Rattree, Redrath, Ratrie and Rettie. There are also alternative spellings which include Rathray, Rathrey, Ratteray, Rattery and Redrath.

Some of the surnames of similar origin include Trapnel, Cairnie, Macbeth, Murcott and Paterson. These names have all evolved from either Scot-Gaelic or Norman forenames, which were in common use in the area of Rattray at one time.

Although Rattray is thought to be a primarily Scottish surname, it can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as descendants of the original Rattrays migrated from Scotland in large numbers over time. In some cases, the spelling of the surname has evolved differently in other countries due to local dialects and spellings. For instance, in some places, the spelling Rattery is more common.

Famous people with the name Rattray

• Angus Rattray: Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Scottish Football League
• Ann Rattray: American fashion designer, best known for her work in Project Runway
• Antoine Rattray: French sculptor and artist
• Bob Rattray: Scottish footballer who played as a forward in the Scottish Football League
• Gerry Rattray: Canadian professional ice hockey player
• James Rattray: Canadian politician, former Mayor of North York from 1994–97
• John Rattray: Scottish professional skateboarder
• Marice Rattray: Jamaican nurse, midwife, and physician
• Mark Rattray: Scottish footballer who played as a right back in the Scottish Football League
• Martin Rattray: British politician, Chairman of the East of Scotland Conservative Association
• Mike Rattray: British advertising executive and television producer
• Robert Rattray: British field officer and diplomat, working as an intelligence officer in India

Other surnames

RattreyRattrieRattry