Ramsey is a Scottish and Old English surname meaning "garlic island" or "wild garlic place" — etymology that does nothing useful for the name's appeal. The appeal comes from elsewhere: it sounds strong, has two easy syllables, and carries associations ranging from Gordon Ramsay to the house from Game of Thrones (though spelled differently).
The Name's Multiple Associations
Ramsey (or Ramsay) lands in a few different cultural contexts depending on spelling: Gordon Ramsay the chef brings fiery authority; Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones brings a darker association most dog owners would rather avoid. The Ramsey spelling is the safer framing — it steps past the GoT connection into cleaner territory.
Sound and Usability
Two syllables, clean consonants, strong landing — Ramsey calls well and works in formal and informal contexts. It sits in the same register as Cooper or Carter: recognizable surname-as-name, no explanation needed, comfortable across settings.
Breed Fit
Ramsey works on mid-to-large dogs with some self-assurance: Scottish Terriers for the heritage match, Labrador Retrievers for the general-purpose appeal. The Scottish roots fit Border Collies particularly well.
The Counter-Reading: The Bolton Shadow
Anyone who watched Game of Thrones closely will hear Ramsay Bolton first. That shadow lifts over time but is real during the naming conversation. If it bothers you, the spelling distinction between Ramsey and Ramsay does genuine work.