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 Text  An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 - 2012
Where did the English Wray family come from? What is the English Wray family crest and coat of arms? When did the Wray family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Wray family history?
The ancestors of the bearers of the Wray family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found 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.
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Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes: - Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
- Known spelling variations
- Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
- Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
- First settlers to North America
- Notable contemporary bearers of the name
- A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)
Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Wray include Wray, Wraye, Wrey, Wreye and others.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.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the early history!
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wray research. Another 192 words(14 lines of text) covering the years 1555, 1586, 1592, 1601, 1617, 1646, and 1655 are included under the topic Early Wray History in all our PDF Extended History products.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the early notables!
Another 78 words(6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the Life In Ireland!
Some of the Wray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 136 words(10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products.
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This is a small excerpt from our full listing of settlers for the name Wray. Our PDF Extended History provide the complete listing from our dbase of over 500,000 settlers!
Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Wray or a variant listed above:
Wray Settlers in the United States in the 17th Century
- Daniel Wray, who landed in Massachusetts in 1634
- Ralph Wray settled in Virginia in 1635
- Ralph Wray, aged 64, arrived in Virginia in 1635
- Thomas Wray settled in Virginia in 1636
- Thomas Wray, who landed in Virginia in 1636
Wray Settlers in the United States in the 18th Century
- George Wray, who landed in New York in 1785
- John Wray, who landed in Mississippi in 1799
Wray Settlers in the United States in the 19th Century
- Robert Wray, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pa in 1802
- James Wray, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815
- William Wray, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815
- Elizabeth Wray, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836
- Benjamin Wray, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836
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We offer a large range of products for you to enjoy with your Coat of Arms. From the coffee cup in the kitchen to the frame in the living room.
- Fay Wray, Canadian-born, American actress, best remembered for her role in the 1933 movie "King Kong"
- Bill Wray (b. 1956), American cartoonist and landscape painter
- John Wray (1887-1940), American character actor
- John Wray (1782-1869), first Receiver of the London Metropolitan Police
- Jimmy Wray (b. 1938), Scottish politician
- Annalisa Wray, Irish screamer, set a Guinness record
- Taylor Wray (b. 1981), Canadian NLL lacrosse player
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We have comprised a great deal of suggested readings that would be of interest to you and your family.
- Kit, Kin & Kaboodle of Wilkins Wray by Bob Milner.
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Learn all about the different symbols of your Coat of Arms with our deluxe symbolism. This product will explain the full meaning of you Coat of Arms including motto translations.
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.
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All products shipped by HouseofNames.com are 100% guaranteed. HouseofNames.com and its partners have been researching and writing family name history documents since 1968. We have provided millions of histories worldwide - each with the Personal Service that ensures that new customers become repeat customers. | More Family Crest Products |
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Our PDF Coat of Arms + Extended History product is the whole package all in one. With a full color Coat of Arms along with a very detailed History, full symbolism, bibliography and settlers listed by the centuries.
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- ^ 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)
Other References- Dunkling, Leslie. Dictionary of Surnames. Toronto: Collins, 1998. Print. (ISBN 0004720598).
- Burke, Sir Bernard. General Armory Of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Ramsbury: Heraldry Today. Print.
- Samuelsen, W. David. New York City Passenger List Manifests Index 1820 - 1824. North Salt Lake, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems International, 1986. Print.
- Humble, Richard. The Fall of Saxon England. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-88029-987-8).
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds. Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8).
- Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
- Hinde, Thomas Ed. The Domesday Book England's Heritage Then and Now. Surrey: Colour Library Books, 1995. Print. (ISBN 1-85833-440-3).
- Crozier, William Armstrong Edition. Crozier's General Armory A Registry of American Families Entitled to Coat Armor. New York: Fox, Duffield, 1904. Print.
- Hanks, Hodges, Mills and Room. The Oxford Names Companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-19-860561-7).
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin . Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8).
- ...
The Wray Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Wray Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
This page was last modified on 2 November 2011 at 20:41.
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