Rye

As an English surname, variant of Rea.

Also as an English surname, from the noun rye.

As a Norwegian surname, from several farmsteads whose name derive from Old Norse rjóðr (“forest clearing”); see the verb ryðja (“to clear”).

As a Danish surname, from the town Ry in Skanderbord.

The town in England is perhaps derived from Old English riþ (“river, stream”) whence also rith; compare ree.