Cordray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Cordray is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Cordray family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Cordray family lived in Berkshire. The name, however, refers to the area of Cordray, in Eure, Normandy, where the family lived prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. "Benedict de Coudray was witness to a charter of Roger de Menilwarin to Deulacresse Abbey (Mon. ii.) and Fulco de Coudray held one fee from Abingdon Abbey." 1

Early Origins of the Cordray family

The surname Cordray was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where John de Coudray (no county) was listed. A few years later, the Writs of Parliament listed William de Coudraye, 1307. 2

Early History of the Cordray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cordray research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1577, 1588, 1590, 1600, 1616, 1618, 1619, 1664 and 1684 are included under the topic Early Cordray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cordray Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Cordray have been found, including Cowdrey, Cowdray, Cowderey, Cowderoy, Corderoy, Cordroy, Cowdroy, Cowdry, Cowdery and many more.

Early Notables of the Cordray family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Abbott Monsire Cowdrey; and Daniel Cawdry (Cawdrey) (1588-1664), an English clergyman, member of the Westminster Assembly. He was the youngest son of Robert Cawdry. 3Zachary Cawdry (1616-1684), author of the 'Discourse of Patronage,' was born in 1616 at Melton Mowbray, of which town his father, also called Zachary, was vicar. 3Jeremy Corderory (fl. 1600), was an English divine, "the son of a Wiltshire gentleman. He was sent about 1577...
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cordray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cordray Ranking

In the United States, the name Cordray is the 13,555^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Cordray migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Cordray were among those contributors:

Cordray Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Andree Cordray, aged 32, originally from Paris, France, arrived in New York in 1913 aboard the ship "Minneapolis" from London, England 5
Thomas Cordray, aged 43, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Royal George" from Southampton, England 5
Marcella Cordray, aged 42, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Imperator" from Southampton, England 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Cordray (post 1700) +

Kenneth "Kenny" Cordray (1954-2017), American instrumental guitarist and songwriter; he was killed by his son in an apparent murder/suicide
Casey Cordray (b. 1985), American soccer player
Richard Cordray (b. 1959), American lawyer and Democratic Party politician, 1st Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2012-)

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result