Show ContentsRaies History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Raies family. Originally, the French people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in France is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Raies is a nickname type of surname for a person of regal bearing or a person who played a king in a local festival. Looking back further, we find the name Raies was derived from the Old French word "roy," meaning "king."

Early Origins of the Raies family

The surname Raies was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France, where the family has held a family seat since ancient times.

Early History of the Raies family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Raies research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1098, 1306, 1330, 1470, 1533, 1570, 1583, 1645, 1726 and 1803 are included under the topic Early Raies History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Raies Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ray, Rays, Raie, Raies, Raye, Rayes, Rée, Rées, Rait, Rey, Reys, Rei, Reis, Duray, Leray, De Laray, Laray, du Ray, de Ray, Delurey and many more.

Early Notables of the Raies family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Raies Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Raies family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Abram Ray, who settled in Barbados in 1635; Henry Ray, who settled in Maryland in 1665; Joane Ray, who came to Maryland in 1664; Michel Ray, who settled in Boston in 1764.


Contemporary Notables of the name Raies (post 1700) +

  • Norman Raies, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Fayette County, 1934 1


The Raies Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Gracieuseté de Ray
Motto Translation: The graciousness of Ray


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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