Gray is a name, who ancestors come from the noble
Boernician clans of the Scottish-English border region. It is a name for a person who had gray hair. In
Scotland, the surname Gray actually came from two different derivations. As a
nickname, it came from the Gaelic word
riabhach, which means
gray. As a habitational name, it derived from the place named
Graye, in Calvados. This place-name came from the Gallo-Roman
personal name,
Gratus, which means
welcome or
pleasing. Gray is therefore a
nickname and a habitation name, which belongs to the category of
hereditary surnames.
Early Origins of the Gray family
The surname Gray was first found in
Northumberland, with Anschatel Groy of Haute Saone,
Normandy, who fought with William the Conqueror in 1066 AD. After the conquest, Anschatel Groy settled in Chillingham,
Northumberland. He was from the department of Haute Saone called Gray, sometimes Groy, or Croy, in
Normandy.
From this house sprang the Grays of Suffolk, Kent, Tankerville, and Stamford. Some of the earliest records of the name include: Richard de Grey (born c. 1140); and his son, Sir Henry de Grey of Grays Thurrock, Essex (1155-1219), a favourite courtier of King John of England; and his son, Richard de Grey (died 1271) of Codnor, Derbyshire, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1258; and his brother Sir John de Grey (died 1266), an English soldier and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire (1238-1239) and of High Sheriff of Herefordshire (1252-1253).
John de Gray (died 1214) was Bishop of Norwich in Norfolk, and later became Archbishop of Canterbury, but was never confirmed. Backworth in Northumberland was home to one branch of the family. "This place formerly belonged to Tynemouth priory, and afterwards to the Grey family, by whom it was sold to the late Duke of Northumberland, for £95,000." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barcombe in Sussex was another ancient family seat. "It comprises 3106 acres, whereof 305 are common or waste; and is bounded on the east by the river Ouse, on which is a flour-mill that has existed since the Conquest, and has been for more than a century in the possession of the family of Mr. Russell Gray, who has also established an extensive oilmill at an expense of £10,000." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Gray family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gray research.
Another 357 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1248, 1250, 1296, 1390, 1469, 1445, 1387, 1439, 1416, 1490, 1451, 1501, 1454, 1505, 1490, 1505, 1590, 1660, 1599, 1673, 1611, 1676, 1660, 1676, 1623, 1657, 1674, 1621, 1622 and are included under the topic Early Gray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gray Spelling Variations
Boernician names that evolved in the largely preliterate Middle Ages are often marked by considerable
spelling variations. Gray has been spelled Gray, Grey, Groy, Croy, Graye and others.
Early Notables of the Gray family (pre 1700)
Notable among the family at this time was Andrew Gray, 1st Lord Gray (c.1390-1469), a Scottish nobleman, politician and diplomat; Sir Andrew Gray (d. 1445) of Fowlis, Perthshire; Sir John Grey
KG (c.1387-1439), English nobleman and soldier; Edmund Grey (1416-1490), English nobleman; Thomas Grey
KG (1451-1501), 7th
Baron Ferrers of Groby...
Another 156 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gray family to Ireland
Some of the Gray family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gray family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the Boernician-Scottish
Clan families who came to North America were Loyalists who went north to Canada after the American
War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border went on to found two of the world's great nations. This century, families with Scottish roots have rediscovered their heritage through highland games and clan societies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Gray or a variant listed above:
Gray Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Abraham Gray, who landed in America in 1620 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Stephen Gray, who landed in Maryland in 1634-1641 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Francis Gray who settled in Virginia in 1635 with his wife Alice
- Tha Gray, who landed in Virginia in 1638 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Alice Gray, who landed in Virginia in 1650 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gray Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Sarah Gray, who landed in Virginia in 1722 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Gray Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Walter Gray, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - William Gray, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Zachariah Gray, who landed in New York in 1834 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Adam Gray, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Adolph Gray, aged 36, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gray Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- Mr. James Gray U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 200 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X - Mr. John Gray U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X - Mr. John Gray U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X - Mr. Joseph Gray U.E. (b. 1729) born in Massachusetts, USA from Boston, Massachusetts, USA who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia c. 1784 he died in 1803, married to Mary Gerrish they had 13 children [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X - Mr. Justus Gray U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X - ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gray Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- George Gray, aged 60, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
- Isobel Gray, aged 43, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
- Isobel Gray, aged 18, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
- Margaret Gray, aged 14, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
- Ann Gray, aged 13, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gray Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Robert Gray, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823 - Austen Gray, English convict from Durham, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [5]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823 - Thomas Gray, a carpenter, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
- Thomas Gray, Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia [6]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828 - William Gray, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "America" on April 4, 1829, settling in New South Wales, Australia [7]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1829 with 176 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1829 - ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gray Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- George Gray, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
- Benjamin Gray, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
- Emma Gray, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
- Joseph Gray, aged 1, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
- Christina Gray, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Gray (post 1700)
- Kenneth Don "Ken" Gray (1936-2017), American NFL offensive guard who played 13 seasons from 1958 through 1970
- Paul Edward Gray (1932-2017), American academic, 14th President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1980-1990)
- Duncan Montgomery Gray Jr., (1926-2016), American cleric, the 7th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
- Mark Eugene Gray (1952-2016), American country music artist
- William "Bill" Mason Gray (1929-2016), American Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU)
- Coleen Gray (1922-2015), born Doris Bernice Jensen, an American actress, best known for her roles in the films Nightmare Alley (1947), Red River (1948), and The Killing (1956)
- Freddie Carlos Gray Jr. (1989-2015), African-American man arrested by the Baltimore Police Department for possessing what the police alleged was an illegal switchblade; he fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center and later died
- Major-General Carl Raymond Jr. Gray (1889-1955), American Administrator of Veterans Affairs (1947-1953) [8]CITATION[CLOSE]
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 11) Carl Gray. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Gray/Carl_Raymond_Jr./USA.html - Harry Barkus Gray (b. 1935), American chemist awarded the Priestley Medal in 1991, The Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2004
- Gordon Gray (1909-1982), American recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- ... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Gray family
Arrow Air Flight 1285
- Mr. Christopher Gray (b. 1966), American Specialist 4th Class from Alvarado, Texas, USA who died in the crash [9]CITATION[CLOSE]
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
- Mr. Whit William Gray, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking [10]CITATION[CLOSE]
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html - Mr. Arthur Gray, British Assistant Saloon Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking [10]CITATION[CLOSE]
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html - Miss Mary Gray (1909-1914), American Second Class Passenger from Terre Haute, Wisconsin, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [11]CITATION[CLOSE]
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html - Mr. Edwin Gray (1889-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [11]CITATION[CLOSE]
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html - Mrs. Madeline Gray (1880-1914), née Shirt American Second Class Passenger from Terre Haute, Wisconsin, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [11]CITATION[CLOSE]
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
- Mr. Thomas G. Gray, Scottish Chief Engineer aboard the SS Curaca from Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom who died in the explosion [12]CITATION[CLOSE]
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
- Mr. James F Gray (1874-1914), Canadian Miner from Nova Scotia, Canada who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse [13]CITATION[CLOSE]
List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
- Mr. John C Gray (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Richmond, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the sinking [14]CITATION[CLOSE]
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm - Mr. Alfred E E Gray (b. 1902), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Southwark, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the sinking [14]CITATION[CLOSE]
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
- Mr. Colin Alexander Gray, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking [15]CITATION[CLOSE]
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
- Mr. Dennis Gray, "Dolly" British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking [16]CITATION[CLOSE]
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html - Mr. Henry Harold Gray, British Chief Engine Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and died in the sinking [16]CITATION[CLOSE]
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
HMS Royal Oak
- Harry Walker Gray (1917-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [17]CITATION[CLOSE]
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html - Edward Gray (1910-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [17]CITATION[CLOSE]
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html - Alexander Simpson Gray (d. 1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [17]CITATION[CLOSE]
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
- Master Stuart James Gray, American 2nd Class passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking [18]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/ - Mrs. Terence Florence Gray, American 2nd Class passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking [18]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/ - Mr. James Paul Gray, American 2nd Class passenger from Oakland, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania and survived the sinking by escaping on an overturned collapsible [18]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/ - Mr. Robert Duncan Gray, English 2nd Class passenger residing in Brooklyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania and survived the sinking [19]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Suggested Readings for the name Gray
- Direct Ancestors of the Parker and Gray Families by Elizabeth Gray Parker.
- A Family History, Gray-Avery and Related Families by Lewis and Ruby Gray.