Gray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Gray

What does the name Gray mean?

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

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

Early History of the Gray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gray research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1248, 1250, 1255, 1266, 1268, 1282, 1296, 1305, 1323, 1353, 1362, 1377, 1380, 1387, 1390, 1392, 1416, 1424, 1427, 1437, 1439, 1440, 1445, 1449, 1451, 1454, 1469, 1490, 1501, 1505, 1582, 1590, 1599, 1611, 1612, 1614, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1628, 1630, 1639, 1657, 1660, 1663, 1673, 1674, 1676 and 1890 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

Andrew Gray, 1st Lord Gray (c.1390-1469), a Scottish nobleman, politician and diplomat
Sir Andrew Gray (d. 1445) of Fowlis, Perthshire

Gray World Ranking

the United States, the name Gray is the 69^th most popular surname with an estimated 263,622 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Gray is ranked the 116^th most popular surname with an estimated 25,831 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Gray is the 674^th popular surname with an estimated 65 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Gray as 65^th with 34,959 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Gray as 44^th with 5,402 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Gray as 66^th with 68,615 people. 7

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 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gray migration to the United States +

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 9
Thomas Gray, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship "Zouch Phoenix" 10
Stephen Gray, who landed in Maryland in 1634-1641 9
Francis Gray who settled in Virginia in 1635 with his wife Alice
Mr. Francis Gray, aged 15, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 10
... (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 9

Gray Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Walter Gray, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
William Gray, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 9
Zachariah Gray, who landed in New York in 1834 9
Adam Gray, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 9
Adolph Gray, aged 36, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gray migration to Canada +

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 11
Mr. John Gray U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 11
Mr. John Gray U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 11
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 11
Mr. Justus Gray U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 11
... (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 migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. John Gray, (1747 - 1790), aged 42, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 8

Second Fleet

Mr. Andrew Gray, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9

Third Fleet

Mr. Charles Gray, (b. 1751), aged 36, Irish settler convicted in Southwark, London on 16th February 1785, sentenced for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Gray Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Gray, English carpenter who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for life for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1818 12

Gray Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Gray, British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Gray, (b. 1765), aged 40, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for felony, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. James Gray, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Gray, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. William Gray, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gray migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

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 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gray migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Gray Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Edward Gray, (b. 1603), aged 32, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Robert Gray, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Gray (post 1700) +

Asa Gray ForMemRS (1810-1888), American botanist of the 19th century, best known for his book Darwiniana (1876), an explanation of how religion and science were not necessarily mutually exclusive
Walter J. Gray (1928-2024), American politician, Member of the Rhode Island Senate from 1991 to 1995
Alfred Mason Gray Jr. (1928-2024), American Marine Corps four-star general
Theodore Milton "Ted" Gray (1927-2024), American Republican politician, Member of the Ohio Senate (1951-1994)
Clayland Boyden Gray (1943-2023), American lawyer and diplomat who served as White House Counsel from 1989 to 1993 and as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union from 2006 to 2007
Claude Gray (1932-2023), American country music singer-songwriter and guitar picker best known for his 1960 hit "Family Bible" and "I'll Just Have a Cup of Coffee (Then I'll Go)"
Freddie Carlos Gray Jr. (1989-2015), 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
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)
... (Another 55 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 (1966-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Alvarado, Texas, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
Mary Gray (b. 1823), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Thomas Gray (b. 1821), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Mr. Whit William Gray, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22
Mr. Arthur Gray, British Assistant Saloon Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 23
... (Another 27 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Gray Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Anchor fast anchor

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html