This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Rayer family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Rayer Family History

Rayer Surname Meaning

German: variant of Reier ‘heron’. French: occupational name for a barber from Old French raier (from rere ‘to shave’).

English (Worcestershire): from the Norman personal name Raher probably from an ancient Germanic name composed of rād ‘counsel’ + hari ‘army’.

Americanized form of Slovenian Rajar or Rajer: probably a nickname derived from rajati ‘to dance in a ring’.

Compare Ryer.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Rayer family from?

You can see how Rayer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rayer family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Rayer families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 34 Rayer families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Rayer's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Rayer families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rayer surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Rayer ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Rayer. 43% of Rayer men worked as a Farmer and 92% of Rayer women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Rayer were Locomotive Erector and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Rayer | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Farmer
    43%
  • Farm Carter
    29%
  • Locomotive Erector
    29%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    92%
  • Nil
    5%
  • Housekeeper
    5%

What Rayer family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 9,000 census records available for the last name Rayer. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rayer census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Rayer

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Rayer. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Rayer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 736 military records available for the last name Rayer. For the veterans among your Rayer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rayer military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rayer family history

Discover More

What is the average Rayer lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Rayer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Rayer in 1954 was 44, and 96 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rayer

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Rayer ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Rayer family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial