McCray is a unique and distinctive name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "MacRaghnaill," which means "son of Raghall." Raghall, in turn, is believed to be a diminutive form of the given name Raghnall, meaning "little ruler" or "small prince."
The McCray surname and its variants, such as MacRay and McGray, have been traditionally associated with the Highlands of Scotland. However, it is important to note that the spelling variations are not indicative of different origins; rather, they result from the frequent changes in the Scottish Gaelic language over time.
Historically, the clan McCray was a sept of the powerful Clan Chattan, one of the largest and most influential Highland clans. The Clan Chattan, which means "the descendants of Chattan," is believed to have been founded by a legendary Irish prince named Fingal in the 4th century AD.
Today, the name McCray is still found predominantly in Scotland but has also spread to other parts of the world due to Scottish immigration over the centuries. Despite its unique spelling and origin, the meaning behind the name McCray – "son of Raghall" or "little ruler" – remains a powerful and enduring one.
The name Mccray has had a consistent presence in the United States over the past few decades, with an average of five babies being born each year between 1995 and 2016, excluding some years where no births were recorded. The total number of births from 1995 to 2016 is estimated at 47. However, there was a slight increase in popularity in recent years, with six babies named Mccray born in both 2016 and 2023. This indicates that the name may be experiencing a resurgence in popularity among parents. Despite this, it remains relatively rare compared to other names, as evidenced by its consistent appearance on birth records over the years.