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![Show Contents]() Camray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Camray reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Camray family lived in Leicestershire. The family name, though, is a reference to the area of Cambrai, near Falaise, in Normandy. Originally erected in the 6th century as the Diocese of Cambrai, its jurisdiction was immense and included even Brussels and Antwerp. Early Origins of the Camray familyThe surname Camray was first found in Leicestershire, where Godridius (Geoffroi) de Chambrai was awarded estates in return for his service to William the Conqueror. Wace, the Norman poet, mentions Cil de Combrai as one of the knights who challenged King Harold to come forth at Senlac in 1066 and this is probably a reference to Geoffroi de Cambrai. Early History of the Camray familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Camray research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1199, 1203, 1273, 1500, 1664, 1701, 1798 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Camray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Camray Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Camray include Cambrey, Cambray, Cambrai, Combray, Cambreye, Camray and many more. Early Notables of the Camray familyMore information is included under the topic Early Camray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Camray familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Camrays to arrive on North American shores: Joseph Cambrey who arrived in Philadelphia in 1847.
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