RAMSAY

Ramsay: translation

Scottish: transferred use of theScottishsurname, which was originally a local name imported to Scotland fromRamseyin Huntingdonshire (so called fromOld Englishhramsawild garlic +ēgisland). In the 12th century David, brother of King Alexander I of Scotland, was brought up at theEnglishcourt, and acquired the earldoms of Huntingdon and Northampton. When he succeeded his brother as king, he took many of his retainers and associates with him to Scotland, and some of them took their surnames with them from places in eastern England. This explains why some famousScottishsurnames, such asRamsay,Lindsay,Graham, etc., are derived from placenames in that part of England. Some of these surnames have in turn gone on to be used as given names.

Variant:Ramsey.