Surname Rattry - Meaning and Origin

Rattry: What does the surname Rattry mean?

The last name Rattry is of Irish origin, and the name is derived from the Gaelic/Irish surname Ó Réadóc. This name is generally believed to mean ‘descendant of Réadóc’, which is a given name derived from the elements ‘rath’ meaning ‘wheel’ or ‘fort’, and perhaps ‘Óc’, meaning ‘young warrior or lad’.

The same elements from which the name is derived appear in many Irish surnames, including McGrath, McLoughlin, McCarthy and Reagan. This pattern is sometimes described as Mac-names or patronymics: names that, literally or figuratively, indicate a father-son relationship.

Rattry is found mainly in Galway province, where it gave rise to the O’Raftery variants, the latter being particularly numerous in Connacht province. The O’Raftery family was established in the 12th century, and the name has important early connections with the Church and the emergence of Connacht as an independent political state.

It is thought that the Rattry name is now scattered throughout Ireland, particularly in the west of the country, having been dispersed and assimilated as part of the Irish diaspora, so family members may have roots in numerous cultures and regions.

Rattry: Where does the name Rattry come from?

The name Rattry is most commonly found today in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and New York. It appears on the U.S. Census Bureau's list of the nation's top 1,000 surnames.

Rattry is a fondly recognized name for people of German descent. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many people of German origin migrated to America and the name Rattry was among them. In fact, Pennsylvania was the first US state to be settled by a large number of German immigrants. There are several cities and towns in Pennsylvania that are named after German surnames, including Rattry (now Rausbury). In Pittsburgh, there is a Rattry Street, as well as places such as Rattry, Rattry Estates, and Rattry Valley.

Today, many Americans with the surname Rattry are connected to early German immigrants in Pennsylvania. They have strong ties to their local German-American community, often celebrating their heritage at annual German festivals or joining German-American societies.

Rattry is not as common a name in the US as it once was, but it is still found in Pennsylvania and New York and remains a fondly recognized name among German-Americans today.

Variations of the surname Rattry

Rattry is a variant spelling of the more common Ratry and Rathry. The surname can be spelled in many different ways, including Roetry, Rwatry, Rwetry, Rutry, Ratry, Ratrey, Ratree, Ratrie, Ratri, Ratreey, Ratreee, Ratrye, Ratry, and Rattery.

Some alternate surnames derived from Rattry include Ratter, Ratre, Ratrè and Ratteray. Irish spellings include O'Rathra and O'Rathry. In Welsh, the surname variations are Rhaterrh, Rhatterth, and Rhetra. The Czech versions are Ratríe and Ratrý. The English language variant Ratree may also appear as Ratres or Ratreece.

Despite the many variations, all are derived from the original surname Rattry, which is thought to be an Anglicization of the Old Norse or Old Danish first name Ragnar. This first name was popular in medieval Scandinavia and is composed of the elements rag 'council' and ner 'war; warrior'. It is believed that the name was brought to Britain in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and eventually developed into the surname Rattry.

Famous people with the name Rattry

• Tommy Rattray, Scottish Professional Footballer
• Johann Benjamin Rattry, German Composer and Artist
• William Rattray, Scottish Naturalist and Entomologist
• Sarah Jane Rattray, Scottish Painting Artist
• Peter Rattray, Canadian Businessman and Politician
• David Oswald Rattray, Scottish Historian and Author
• Robert William Rattray, Scottish Ethnographer and Anthropologist
• Harry Rattray, British Politician and Army officer
• Thomas Rattray, British Activist and Poet
• Lord James Rattray, British Admiral of the Fleet
• Colin Rattray, Scottish Professional Footballer
• Jacky Rattray, Australian Politician
• Sam Rattray, British Actor
• Scott Rattray, British Documentary Film Maker
• Tony Rattray, American Professional Basketball Player
• Michael Rattray, Irish Police Officer and Coach
• Ken Rattray, Canadian Professional Hockey Player
• Rob Rattray, British Drummer and Musician
• Charles Rattray, Indian Politician
• Alexander Rattray, British Royal Navy Officer and Writer

Other surnames

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