Show ContentsWrye History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Wrye name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived as a local name for a secluded nook or corner of land, derived from the Old Norse word "vra" [1]. The second possible origin was as a nickname for a person with twisted or crooked features.

Early Origins of the Wrye family

The surname Wrye was first found in Lancashire where Wray is a small village, part of the civil parish of Wray-with-Botton and in 2001 had a population of 521. This village dates back to at least 1227 when the village was named Wra.

There is also a Wray in High Cumbria complete with Wray Castle which dates back to c. 1535 when it was spelled Wraye and a Wrea Green in Lancashire which dates back the farthest in 1201 with the spelling of Wra. [1] This latter reference is larger of the two Lancashire references as in 2001, 1600 people lived there.

The Domesday Book lists the name Wray (spelled Werei) [2] as land held by Godwine in Devon and comprised land for 6 ploughs, 8 acres of meadows and 5 acres of pasture. And it is in Devon that Robert le Wrey who lived in the second year of King Stephen (1136-1137) and whose son was seated at Wrey, in parish of Moreton-Hamstead claimed their origins. [3]

The manor of Trebicen or Trebigh, St. Ive, Cornwall was passed to the "Wreys, who are said to have had their seat here in the reign of Charles I. Sir William Wrey being described as of this place when created a Baronet in the year 1628. In this family both the manor and the estate have ever since remained. It is now the property of Sir Bourchier Wrey, whose family ever since the match with the heiress of Bourchier, have resided in Devonshire. The old mansion is at present a farm house." [4]

Early History of the Wrye family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wrye research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1555, 1586, 1592, 1601, 1611, 1617, 1619, 1625, 1626, 1645, 1646, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1696 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wrye History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wrye Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Wrye were recorded, including Wray, Wraye, Wrey, Wreye and others.

Early Notables of the Wrye family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Christopher Wray (1524-1592), an English judge and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench; Sir William Wray, 1st Baronet, of Glentworth, Lincolnshire (c 1555-1617), English politician, appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1592; Sir John Wray, 2nd Baronet (1586-1655), English politician, supporter of the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War; Sir Christopher Wray (1601-1646), English politician, Member of Parliament for Grimsby; Sir William Wray, 1st...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wrye Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Wrye family to Ireland

Some of the Wrye family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Wrye migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Wrye family emigrate to North America:

Wrye Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Warren Wrye, aged 24, who arrived in America, in 1919
  • Howard Wrye, aged 42, who arrived in America, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Wrye (post 1700) +

  • Billy Wrye, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Arizona State House of Representatives 26th District, 1998 [5]
  • William Munro Wrye (b. 1944), Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1990, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations (1987), Minister of Transportation (1989)


The Wrye 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: En juste et vray
Motto Translation: In justice and truth.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  4. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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