Surname Raysor - Meaning and Origin

Raysor: What does the surname Raysor mean?

The surname Raysor doesn't have a specific known meaning as it might have evolved or been anglicized over centuries. It's possible that the name could be a variation of the occupational surname "Razor," which refers to individuals who worked as razor-smiths in the Middle Ages. Another possibility is that it might have been derived from a place name or from an old personal name. What's clear is that it is quite rare and was possibly more common in the United States and England. Researching the genealogy and distribution of the surname could provide more clues about its meaning and origin. Often, such investigation can reveal the name's linguistic roots, migration patterns, and relation to historical events or occupations. However, without a comprehensive study on this specific surname, the exact meaning of "Raysor" remains uncertain.

Raysor: Where does the name Raysor come from?

The last name Raysor is believed to have originated in the British Isles. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is thought to be either Scottish or Irish in origin.

Raysor is an uncommon surname in the United Kingdom, but is more common in the United States, where it is considered to be relatively widespread. It can be found throughout the country, with significant populations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, and California. The last name is most likely to be found among African Americans, since it was very popular among slaves in the antebellum South.

There are also some notable individuals with the last name Raysor, among them civil rights activist Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and Judge Edward Briesen Raysor, who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina.

It appears that the last name Raysor is still quite popular in the United States, and its presence has been documented for more than two centuries. Its origins, however, may remain a mystery.

Variations of the surname Raysor

The surname Raysor is an Anglicized spelling of the old Gaelic name Ó Raisdeir, an Irish term meaning 'descendant of Raisdeir'. This name was derived from the older Irish raisdeoir, meaning 'ruffian.' Variants of the name include:

Raeser, Raiser, Raisor, Raasor, Rassor, Rayzer, Rayzor, Raseair, Reiser, Reasor, Reazor, Raizor, Reazor, Razer, Rizer, and Raizur.

Surnames of the same origin include Reiser, Riser, Rasor, Raiser, Reece, O'Risor, Risinger, Reasor, Reser, Razear, Reezer, Razey, Reaser, Reazer, Reecey, Reizor, Rezo, Reyes, and Resor.

Raysor is primarily found in the United States, but there are also some people with this name in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

The variant Rayzer and Raizer are found primarily in the US, while the variants Raizor and Raysur are more common in Canada. The variant Rizer is most often seen in the UK, while the variant Razey is primarily found in Australia.

Spelling variations commonly found in records include Raisdor, Raisdis, Raisdes, Raisdor, Raisides, Raisser, Rayzor, Rayzer, Rayzear, Rayseir, Raysoir, Raysur, Raysor, Raizor, and Reizer.

It is also important to note that the Raysor surname is associated with several other surnames of different origins, such as Riser, Reece, Rewas, Rewasz, and Revees. These names often have a similar meaning or origin to Raysor and its variants.

Famous people with the name Raysor

• John Henry Raysor: John Henry Raysor was a lawyer and a politician who served in the House of Delegates of Maryland from 1915 to 1916 and the Maryland Senate from 1916 to 1939.
• Thomas Jefferson Raysor: Thomas Jefferson Raysor, Jr. was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland's 2nd congressional district from March 4, 1925 to March 3, 1933.
• James T. Raysor, Sr.: James T. Raysor, Sr. was a member of the Maryland Senate from 1939 to 1949.
• Maxine Raysor: Maxine Raysor was an American film actor. She was bestknown for her roles in The Wages of Sin (1921) and Male andFemale (1919).
• Osmond Raysor: Osmond Raysor was an American athlete who was the first African-American to represent the United States in international competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.
• Robert Humphrey Raysor: Robert Humphrey Raysor was a United States Representative from Maryland who was elected to Congress in 1960.
• Michaela Raysor: Michaela Raysor is an American singer and songwriter who won third place on the singing show The Voice in 2012.
• Kerrie Raysor: Kerrie Raysor is an American track and field athlete who competed in the 2016 Olympics in the 400m hurdles event.
• Wanda Raysor: Wanda Raysor was a prominent member of the New York City dance theater community in the early 20th century.
• Reggie Raysor: Reggie Raysor is an American rapper and songwriter from Atlanta. He is known for his songs 'Life in the Streets', 'What You Doin' and 'Go Get 'Em'.

Other surnames

Rayson