The name De la Rey is a nickname or kind of surname for someone with regal bearing or who has performed the role of a king in a local event. Looking farther back, we discover that the name De la Rey was derived from the Old French word "roy," which means "king." The initial "R" was often omitted in medieval times to make words shorter. The earliest record of the name dates back to 1066 when Henricus de la Rije was listed among the tenants-in-chief of William I the Conqueror. The most common variant of the name today is De La Rey. Other forms of the name include De Raey, De Raie, De Rait, and Dyar. De la Rey is used as a given name by people outside of North America. It may be used as a diminutive name for someone who is named after a monarch or ruler. There are many variations of names in English so one version may not be considered unusual.