Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
GILRAY
We don't have any stats on how common this name is. This is probably because it's very rare in the UK.
Region of origin
Unknown
Country of origin
Unknown
Language of origin
Unknown
Religion of origin
Unknown
Classification
Unknown
Related and similar surnames
The Gilray surname in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
GILROY. GILRAY. Gael. Gille ruadh or rcy, i. e. "the red lad." The celebrated Highland freebooter of the XVI. cent., Gilderoy, derived his designation from this source. Arthur says, " Gillcroimh, a running footman attendant on a Highland chieftain ; or GiUc-rlgh, the servant of the king." Others make it cqui-alent to Fitz-PlOy — the son of a king. Thus do Gaelic etymologists ditier.