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An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 - 2012
Wray Family Crest
Wray Family Crest
Wray

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Contents

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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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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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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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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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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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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  • 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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  • Kit, Kin & Kaboodle of Wilkins Wray by Bob Milner.
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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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  1. ^ Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. ^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)

Other References

  1. Foster, Joseph. Dictionary of Heraldry Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees. London: Bracken Books, 1989. Print. (ISBN 1-85170-309-8).
  2. Leeson, Francis L. Dictionary of British Peerages. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1986. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-1121-5).
  3. Best, Hugh. Debrett's Texas Peerage. New York: Coward-McCann, 1983. Print. (ISBN 069811244X).
  4. Hinde, Thomas Ed. The Domesday Book England's Heritage Then and Now. Surrey: Colour Library Books, 1995. Print. (ISBN 1-85833-440-3).
  5. Holt, J.C. Ed. Domesday Studies. Woodbridge: Boydell, 1987. Print. (ISBN 0-85115-477-8).
  6. Markale, J. Celtic Civilization. London: Gordon & Cremonesi, 1976. Print.
  7. Mills, A.D. Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4).
  8. Innes, Thomas and Learney. The Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland 1st Edition. Edinburgh: W & A. K. Johnston Limited, 1938. Print.
  9. Ingram, Rev. James. Translator Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1823. Print.
  10. Burke, Sir Bernard. General Armory Of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Ramsbury: Heraldry Today. Print.
  11. ...

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 15 April 2012 at 06:23.

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