Gray Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Gray mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Gray name
Gray is an English and Scottish nickname for someone with grey hair or a grey beard, from Old English grǣg or Old French gris. It may also be habitational from Graye in Calvados. The Scottish form Grey/Gray is common in the Borders. The name is widespread in Britain and North America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Gray name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Gray name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Scotland and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Gray name FAQ
What does the Gray name mean?
Grey-haired. Common variants include Grey, Graye, Grayson.
Where does the Gray surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Scotland and Canada.
Is there a Gray coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Gray crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Gray coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); US Census Bureau 2010.