Wry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Wry surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived as a local name for a secluded nook or corner of land, derived from the Old Norse word "vra" 1. The second possible origin was as a nickname for a person with twisted or crooked features.

Early Origins of the Wry family

The surname Wry was first found in Lancashire where Wray is a small village, part of the civil parish of Wray-with-Botton and in 2001 had a population of 521. This village dates back to at least 1227 when the village was named Wra.

There is also a Wray in High Cumbria complete with Wray Castle which dates back to c. 1535 when it was spelled Wraye and a Wrea Green in Lancashire which dates back the farthest in 1201 with the spelling of Wra. 1 This latter reference is larger of the two Lancashire references as in 2001, 1600 people lived there.

The Domesday Book lists the name Wray (spelled Werei) 2 as land held by Godwine in Devon and comprised land for 6 ploughs, 8 acres of meadows and 5 acres of pasture. And it is in Devon that Robert le Wrey who lived in the second year of King Stephen (1136-1137) and whose son was seated at Wrey, in parish of Moreton-Hamstead claimed their origins. 3

The manor of Trebicen or Trebigh, St. Ive, Cornwall was passed to the "Wreys, who are said to have had their seat here in the reign of Charles I. Sir William Wrey being described as of this place when created a Baronet in the year 1628. In this family both the manor and the estate have ever since remained. It is now the property of Sir Bourchier Wrey, whose family ever since the match with the heiress of Bourchier, have resided in Devonshire. The old mansion is at present a farm house." 4

Early History of the Wry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wry research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1555, 1586, 1592, 1601, 1611, 1617, 1619, 1625, 1626, 1645, 1646, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1696 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wry Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Wry include Wray, Wraye, Wrey, Wreye and others.

Early Notables of the Wry family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Christopher Wray (1524-1592), an English judge and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench; Sir William Wray, 1st Baronet, of Glentworth, Lincolnshire (c 1555-1617), English politician, appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1592; Sir John Wray, 2nd Baronet (1586-1655), English politician, supporter of the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War; Sir Christopher Wray (1601-1646), English politician, Member of Parliament for Grimsby; Sir William Wray, 1st...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wry family to Ireland

Some of the Wry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wry migration to Canada +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Wry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Wry, aged 23, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1774

The Wry Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: En juste et vray
Motto Translation: In justice and truth.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print