Surname Rayson - Meaning and Origin

Rayson: What does the surname Rayson mean?

The surname Rayson is of English origin, dating back to the medieval ages. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the first name of a male ancestor. The name Rayson specifically derives from the personal name Ray, a diminutive of the old Germanic name Raimund, which means "wise protector". The suffix "-son" refers to "son of", hence Rayson essentially translates to "son of Ray" or "son of the wise protector". It is important to note that surnames underwent considerable changes in spelling and form over centuries, so multiple variations of the name exist. Like many surnames, it was first used by families dwelling in specific localities before becoming hereditary. The surname distribution statistics show a majority of Rayson families were historically found in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, amongst other regions in England. Today, it’s found in several countries predominantly inherited across generations.

Rayson: Where does the name Rayson come from?

The last name Rayson is fairly common today, especially in the United Kingdom, Australia, and a few other places affected by British colonialism. In the United States, there is a smaller population of people with the surname Rayson. According to the 2019 US Census data, the last name Rayson was ranked 8,645th most common surname with the approximate number of people with the name at 2,304. This is slightly more then 1 in every 100,000 people having the Rayson last name.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Rayson is the 5,742nd most common surname with the approximate number of people with the name at 6,510 representing slightly more then 1 in every 4,000 people.

The last name Rayson is more common in England, but can also be found in pockets of Scotland and Wales. The largest population with this name is in the London Borough of Islington, which has the most people with the last name.

The last name Rayson is still fairly common in Great Britain and can be found in other parts of the world thanks to British colonialism. Although the surname has fewer people with it throughout the United States, it can still be found in pockets.

Variations of the surname Rayson

The surname Rayson is typically derived from the name "Raeson" which originated as a personal name derived from Rafe or Rafa, an old Germanic given name. Thus, other variants and spellings of Rayson include Raeson, Rason, Raison, Reeson, Reison, Rayeson, Rayzon, Raisun, Raysun, Rysen, and Risen.

The popularity of the surname Rayson can be traced back to its origins in Scotland, as is evidenced by seventeenth century landowner records from Aberdeen. From there, the name spread to England and the United States, where the Rayson variants became more widespread.

In England, the variants Reeson, Reison, Rayeson and Rayzon are particularly common, while in the United States, the spellings Raeson and Rason are most commonly found. Additionally, the surnames Raisun, Raysun, Rysen and Risen have been used in the United States, although they are less common.

It is also worth noting that many families with the last name Rayson or any of its variants may have changed spelling over the years or have used a variant at different periods over time. As such, the surname may also appear as Reazin, Razin, Raysin and Rayzun. Additionally, some families may have adopted various other surnames, including Ray, Railey and Reilly, which could be linked to the surname Rayson.

Famous people with the name Rayson

• Estelle Rayson: Australian actress known for roles in films such as The Turning, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid.
• John Rayson: Former leader of the Australian state of Tasmania, served from 2008 to 2011.
• Dan Rayson: Musician and actor best known for playing a part in the horror film Frankenstein's Army.
• Larissa Rayson: Helped launch the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, and is Assistant Secretary in the Disability and Carer Policy division of the Department of Social Services.
• Ziggy Rayson: Australian comedian and popular television presenter on ABC1.
• Phoebe Rayson: Olympic long-distance runner, represented Australia in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• Mary Rayson: Award-winning Australian author who published her widely acclaimed novel ‘The Adventures of the Making of a Life’ in 2016.
• Jess Rayson: Australian stand-up comedian who has appeared on various television and radio shows such as “The Project” and “The Comedy Channel”.
• Madeleine Rayson: Actress who has appeared on the Australian television soap opera Home and Away.
• Guy Rayson: Former CEO of the Australian Football League, served from 1996 to 2002.

Other surnames

Raysor