Wray is an English surname of locative origin, derived from a word in Old Norse that meant "corner, nook". The name originally denoted someone who came from any of the several places called Wray in northern England, particularly in the county of Lancashire. These locations likely derived their name from the Old Norse element vrá, referring to a remote or secluded spot—a "nook" or "corner" of land. As a consequence, the surname is most frequently found in areas where Norse influence was historically strong.