The ancient Scottish name Rayney was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in De Reiney, or Rigny, in Champagne, France. "Hagebert de Rigneio, in 1101, witnessed a charter of the Bishop of Tulle, and may have been the same that possessed lands in Essex in 1086 [1] Roger de Reigny witnessed a charter of Bishop Roger of Sarum, temp. Hen. I., and Robert de Reigny held five fees in Devon in 1165." [2] Newton-Reigny, in the Forest of Inglewood, was their seat in Cumberland. [3]
The surname Rayney was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire.
"The Ranys or Rennys were extensive owners of land in the district of Craig in Angus from the middle of the fifteenth century, and the Rennies of Usan were recognized as an old family. Symon Renny was bailie of Inverkeithing in 1362. John Rayny, pelliparius, was burgess of Stirling in 1436." [4]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rayney research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1526, 1572, 1592, 1798, 1402, 1409 and are included under the topic Early Rayney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Rayney has been spelled Rayney, Rainy, Rainey, Rainnie, Rennie, Renny and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Rayney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Rayney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 124 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: