Find out how popular the last name Dray is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dray.

Dray, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dray surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dray in America

Dray is the 15857th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dray surname appeared 1,835 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Dray.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dray to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dray

The surname Dray originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "draeg," meaning a carrying device or a sled. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a drayman, transporting goods on a dray or cart.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Dray can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable reference is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a Thomas Dray. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames during that era.

In the 14th century, the surname Dray appeared in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, which listed a John Drey. The variations in spelling, like Drey and Dray, were common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

The Dray surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was William Dray, a monk and scholar who lived in the late 14th century and authored several theological works. Another notable figure was John Dray, a prominent merchant who lived in Bristol in the 16th century and played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce.

During the 17th century, the Dray surname gained further prominence. Thomas Dray, born in 1620, was a renowned English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts. Additionally, Edward Dray, born in 1665, was a respected lawyer and judge who served as a justice of the King's Bench.

In the 18th century, the Dray surname continued to be represented across various professions. One notable figure was Samuel Dray, born in 1745, who was a highly regarded architect and designed several notable buildings in London.

The 19th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals with the Dray surname. One of the most notable was William Dray, born in 1827, who was a renowned explorer and author. He published several books detailing his travels and adventures in various parts of the world.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diversity of the Dray surname, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval England, its legacy has extended far beyond its initial geographical boundaries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dray

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dray.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dray was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dray has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Dray was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dray, please contact us.

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