Show ContentsGiray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Giray Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Giray

What does the name Giray mean?

Among the all the peoples of ancient Scotland, the first to use the name Giray were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name for someone who lived the place named Currie, derived from Gaelic curraigh, in Midlothian, on record since 1230. Some instances of this name in Scotland are also known to have derived the place name Corrie in Dumfriesshire.

Early Origins of the Giray family

The surname Giray was first found in Midlothian, where "Philip de Curry granted the lands of Dalhengun and Bargower in Kyle to the Abbey of Melrose, 1179. About 1210 Peter de Curri witnessed a charter by Malcolm Loccard, and John Curry of Scotland is mentioned in an Annandale charter, 1238." 1

"Hugh de Corrie witnessed a charter of a fishery in Torduf c. 1194-1211, and as de Corri he witnessed resignation of land in Weremundebi and Anant within the same period. Radulph de Cony witnessed a charter by Henry de Grahame a. 1200." 1

In England, Dodda æt Curi was listed as an Old English Byname in Somerset c1075; and Richard de Cury was listed in Somerset in 1212. 2 Curry, Curry-Mallet, North Curry and Curry-Rivell are all found in Somerset. It is thought that North Curry is the oldest as "this place appears to have been known to the Romans, an urn containing a quantity of silver coins of that people having been discovered in 1748: it was subsequently held by the Saxon kings, and retained in demesne by the Conqueror." 3

Later records show Robert atte Curie in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

Early History of the Giray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Giray research. Another 544 words (39 lines of text) covering the years 1179, 1243, 1260, 1271, 1274, 1291, 1296, 1330, 1339, 1342, 1362, 1364, 1379, 1398, 1400, 1449, 1506, 1511, 1526, 1528, 1547, 1549, 1570, 1641, 1652, 1689, 1691, 1693, 1780, 1799, 1817, 1820, 1840, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Giray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giray Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Giray has appeared as Currie, Curry, Currey and others.

Early Notables of the Giray family

Sir Frederick Currie (1799-1875), Indian official, third son of Mark Currie of Cobham, Surrey, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Close of Easby, Yorkshire, was born on 3 Feb. 1799. He was educated at Charterhouse and the East India Company's College at Haileybury, and was appointed a cadet in...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Giray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Giray family to Ireland

Some of the Giray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 202 words (14 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 Giray family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Charles Currey who settled in Philadelphia in 1851; James Currey settled in St. Christopher in 1716; William and his wife settled in Alexandria Vermont in 1822 with seven children.
  1. 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)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

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