Gundrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Gundrey surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from Gundred and variants such as Grundy and Gundreda. The personal name Gundred is an old Germanic name which meant "battle ruler," and became common in England in the centuries following the Norman Conquest as a new wave of immigration from continental Europe swept England.

Early Origins of the Gundrey family

The surname Gundrey was first found in Yorkshire where Aicusa filia Grundi, who was recorded in 1204. 1

However, we did find and older listing of the name, but in its Latin form: Gundrea, mater Rogeri de Moubraie, 1138, called by Young the historian of Whitby, 'Gundrey Moiwbray.' 2

In Scotland, Robert Grundy de Neuton, Roxburghshire, rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296, and Adam Grondy was juror on inquisition made at Roxburgh, 1303. 3

Early History of the Gundrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gundrey research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1701, 1711, 1720, 1729 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Gundrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gundrey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Gundrey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Gundrey include: Grundy, Grundie, Ground, Grounds, Groundey and others.

Early Notables of the Gundrey family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gundrey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gundrey migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Gundrey or a variant listed above:

Gundrey Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Andrew Gundrey, who landed in Maryland in 1662 4

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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)