Grey Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Surname Name Meaning, Origin, and Etymology
The last name Grey has several origin theories. First, it may derive from a nickname for a person with grey hair or complexion (in the same way the names Brown, White, and Black derive), ultimately deriving from the Old English word graeg. The bearers of this name in Ireland and Scotland were originally the Gaelic riabhach, meaning “brindled or grey”, which was Anglicized as Grey/Gray. Second, it might be a local name meaning “of Grey” (de Grey). It is a variant of the spelling of the surname Gray.

In his book, An Etymological Dictionary of Family Christian Names, author William Arthur states it’s a locational name for a person from a town of Burgundy, France on the banks of Saone. He also states Rollo, Chamberlain, Robert, Duke of Normandy, received from him the castle of Crow in Picardy, and the family assumed the surname De Croy, which was later corrupted into De Gray. However, in his eighteenth century book, Patronymica Britannica, Mark Antony Lower states disagrees and states there is no evidence for this claim. He states the pedigree can only be traced back to Henry de Grey (1115-1219, son of John, who was granted the manor of Thurrock in county Essex, by King Richard I of England, (known as Richard Coeurde lion or Richard the Lionheart).

One source asserts the family’s history/genealogy begins with a Boernician (a people who were Picts, Angles, and Vikings) family that lived in the Borderlands (area between Scotland and England), and mentions that the Gallo-Roman given name Gratus means either pleasing or welcome. This same source believes the first bearer was Anschatel Groy (or Antschitill Grai) of Haute Saone in Normany, who came to England as a companion/knight of William the Conqueror during the Norman Invasion of 1066 AD, and settled in Chillingham, Northumberland. From him sprang numerous branches of this family (ex. Grays of Suffolk, Kent, Tankerville).

George Fraser Black’s, The Surnames of Scotland, published in 1946, states the following in regard to the surname Grey: “Perhaps from Gray, a town in the department of Haute-Saone, France. The first of the name recorded in Scotland is Hugo de Gray, witness in a charter by Walter de Lundin, a. 1248. The surname is now common all over Scotland. John Gray, mayor of Berwick, witnessed a gift of land to the Hospital of Soltre between 1250—66. William de Grey witnessed resignation of the lands of Nysebyte by William de Nysebyte, 1255, and William Gray was a charter witness at Newton of Ayr, c. 1280. Robert Gray, castellan of Banff in 1291, was probably an Englishman. Henry Grey of Fife rendered homage in 1296, and Huwe Grey, juror on an inquest at Berwick, also rendered homage. John Gray was provost of Crail, 1327 (ER., I, p. 65). William dictus Gray witnessed a chartet by Muriel, widow of Sir William de Rose, between 1333—63 (Rose, p. 117). John Gray of Broxmouth had a charter of the lands of Craigy in le Mernys, 1357 (SCM., V, p. 247), and Laurence Gray was custumar of Montrose, 1359 (ER., I, p. 612). The land of Molyne was leased to Ibbote Gray in 1376 (RHM., r, p. lviii), and John Gray was rector of the church of Feme in Angus, 1394 (RAA., II, 42). William Graa was one of the prominent men of Orkney in 1427 (Oppressions, p. 109), Robert Gray, “chamerlane of Aberbrothoc,” 1497 (RAA., II, 383), and John Gra, tenant in Raynstruder, 1531 (Rental). See under Macglashan”.

Spelling Variations
Common spelling variants or names with similar etymologies include Gray, Graye, Croy, and Groy.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution
The last name Grey ranks 2,691^st in popularity in terms in the United Status as of the 2000 Census. The name ranks particularly high in the following five states: Connecticut, New York, Florida, New Mexico, and Georgia.

The surname Grey frequency/commonness ranks as follows in the British Isles: England (822^nd), Scotland (1,112^nd), Wales (464^th), Ireland (1,311^th) and Northern Ireland (1,670^th).  In England, it ranks highest in Northumberland. In Scotland, it ranks highest in Shetland. In Wales, it ranks highest in Caernfonshire. In Ireland, it ranks highest in Longford In Northern Ireland, the surname Grey ranks highest in Fermanagh.

The name is also present throughout the remainder English speaking world:  Canada (2,465^th), New Zealand (568^th), Australia (889^th), and South Africa (1,790^th).

The 1890 book Homes of Family Names by H.B. Guppy, states the following in regard to this surname: “Gray is, generally speaking, confined to the whole length of the eastern coast of England from Northumberland to Kent and to the inland counties immediately adjacent; and it advances in force across the border into southern Scotland. It also extends along the south coast of England, excepting Sussex, to Hants and Dorset. The manner in which this name is restricted in England to the coast and its vicinity is particularly remarkable. It is mingled in the counties of Northumberland and Durham with Grey, of which the former county may be considered the home. The peculiarities in the distribution of these names are but little explained when we refer to the Hundred Rolls of the reign of Edward I. At that time both names were numerous, but Grey had the preeminence. Strange to say, at that time Grey was numerous in Kent, whilst Gray was particularly frequent in Lincolnshire, where it was also associated with Grey. The two – names were also well represented in Oxfordshire, Bucks, Cambridgeshire, and adjacent counties, and probably also in some other parts of England that are scantily referred to in the Hundred Rolls Coming back to the present distribution of the names, I notice the circumstance that the Graysons are confined to Yorkshire”.

Early Bearers of the Surname
The Hundred Rolls of 1273 AD, a census of Wales and England, known in Latin as Rotuli Hundredorum lists one bearer of this surname: Eva de Grey in county Somerset. An early marriage involving this surname was Katharine Grey to William Knevett in 1523 AD.

History, Genealogy, and Ancestry
The famous genealogist Bernard Burke’s book “The Landed Gentry” discusses numerous branches of the Gray family, but only one of the Grey family: Grey of Styford. It begins with a mention of Henry Bacon-Grey, Esquire of Styford, Northumberland, who was born in 1837 and succeeded his brother in 1861. The Grey genealogy of this branch begins with John Bacon, Esquire of Staward Peel, Northumberland, who was High Sheriff in 1693 and died in 1736, leaving a son and hier named William. William Bacon was Esquire of Staward Peel and Newton Cap in Durham, as well as High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1745. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Foster of Edderstone, and had issue with her. Later down the lineage and pedigree came one Charles Bacon, Esq. of Styford and Northumberland who in 1790, married Dorthoy, daughter of Marmaduke Grey, and had the following issue with her: John William, Charles, Thomas, Eleanor, Sarah, Jane, and Frances. The Grey Coat of Arms or Grey Family Crest was blazoned in heraldry as follows: Arms of Bacon, granted in 1752, Ermine a wild boar passant azure bristled and armed or, on a chief of the last two mullets gules, of Grey (allowed at the Visitation of Northumberland, 1615): Gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed argent a martlet or, for difference, quartering Lowther, Foster of Edderstone, etc. Crest (of Bacon): A demi wild boar rampant azure bristled and armed or, vulned in the shoulder proper, in the mouth a tilting spear argent.

There are landed/noble Grey families and significant bearers too numerous discuss, and branches in the family tree too numerous to show, but we will provide one Grey genealogy and lineage here.

Burke’s other book, Peerage and Knights, discusses detailed genealogies and pedigrees of several Grey families: Earl Grey, Grey of de Ruthyn, and Grey of Fallodon

Earl Grey
Burke traces this family back to a family of great antiquity in Northumberland, England, beginning with Sir John Grey, Knight of Berwick who lived in 1372 and was the father of Sir Thomas Grey, Knight of Berwick and Chillingham who died in 1402, and by wife Jane, daughter of John Mowbray, the Duke of Norfolk, five issue: Sir John Grey of Heaton (Earl of Tankerville), Sir Thomas Grey (of Werke), William Grey (Dean of York and Bishop of London in 1426), Sir Henry Grey (of Ketteringham, Norfolk), and Matila Grey (married Sir Robert Ogle). The lineage goes on for numerous generations and Burke ends the discussion with Sir Charles Robert Grey, the Earl Grey, Viscount of Howick, Baron Grey, who was born in 1879 and succeeded his father as the 5^th Earl in 1917. He was a Major in the Army and served in World War I. In 1906, he married Lady Mabel Georgiana Palmer, and had issue with her: Mary Cecil (married Sir Evelyn Baring) and Elizabeth Katherine (married Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Dawnay). The Grey Coat of Arms (erroneously called Grey Family Crest) was blazoned in heraldry as follows: Gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed argent, in dexter point a millet or. Crest: A scaling ladder, or, hooked and pointed sable. Supporters: Dexter, a lion guardant purpure, ducally crowned or; sinister, a tiger guardant proper.

Grey of Ruthyn
Burke begins the discussion with a mention of the Baron Grey de Ruthyn, John Lancelot Butler-Bowdon), who was educated at Mount St. Mary’s College who was a Justice of the Peace in county Derby who was born in 1883. The title was called out of abeyance in his favour in 1940, when he became the 25^th Baron. Burke traces the Grey genealogy or family history of this branch back to Henry de Grey, from the Manor of Thurrock, county Essex, who lived during the reign of King Richard I of England. He married Isolsa, niece and heir of Robert Barfolph of Codnor, and had six sons with her: 1) Richard (ancestor of Barons Grey of Codnor), 2) John (Sheriff of Buckingham and Bedford), 3) William (of Landford, Nottingham), 4) Robert (progenitor of the Barons Grey of Rotherfield), Walter (Archbishop of York 1216), and Henry.  The Grey Coat of Arms (erroneously called Grey Family Crest) was blazoned in heraldry as follows: Quarterly of eight, 1st and 8th, Clifton: Sable on a bend argent, three mullets gules ; 2nd, Hastings ; Quarterly, 1st and 4th, argent  a maunch, sable; 2nd and 3rd, Rawdon : Argent a fesse between three pheons, sable.; 3^rd Yelverton: Argent., three lions rampant sable, chief gules; 4th Per saltire, az. and or, a lion rampant counter-changed ; 5th Yelverton: Argent, three lions rampant and a chief gules; 6th, Longueville: a fesse dancettee ermine, between six cross-crosslets arg.; 7th Grey de Ruthyn: Barry of six, argent and azure, in chief three torteaux. Crest—A dexter arm embowed in armour holding a sword proper. Supporters—Dexter, a wyvern or, collared and lined gules; sinister, a lion reguardant gu.

Grey of Fallodon
The discussion begins with a mention of Sir Charles George Grey, 4^th Baronet, who was born in 1880 and succeeded his kinsman in 1933. In 1910, he married Jessy Elizabeth, daughter of Paton Sutherland of South Africa. Burke traces the lineage back to the Honorable Sir George Grey, 1^st Baron, who was Captain in the Royal Navy born in 1767. The Grey Coat of Arms (erroneously called Grey Family Crest) was blazoned in heraldry as follows: Gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed argent, a mullet for difference. Crest: A scaling ladder in bend canister or hooked and pointed sable.

Grey Pedigree and Grey Family History/Ancestry
The first known ancestor of the Grey family was Fulbert de Falaise who was born in 978 AD. He married a woman named Doda and had a son with her named Reynald de Falaise, Lord of Croy. Reynald, Seigneur of Croy, was born around 1008 AD in Falaise, Calvados, Normany France. He had two sons: John and Reynald. He son John de Croy, Lord Croi, was born in 1033 in Croix, Picardie, France and he married a woman named Adeliza, with whom he had the following issue: Antchitil de Grai, Reynold de Grai, and Gisla de Grey. His son Antichitil (also spelled Anketil, Anchetil) was born around 1052 in Gray-sur-Me, France. He married Joane and had issue with her: William, Columbanus, and Anschetil. Atchitel de Grey or Grai was born around 1085 AD in Rotherfield de Grai and he had two issue: Robert de Grey and Richard de Grey. His son Richard de Grey, Lord of Rotherfield, was born in Oxforfshire, England around 1100 AD. He had four children: Antichel, Turgis, Thomas, William, and Robert. The following is the pedigree from his son Antchitel de Grey of Thurrock who was born in 1130 AD and married Eva de Redvers:
Richard de Grey (born 1149)
King Henry de Grey, Baron Grey od Codnor (born 1161 in Thurrock Grey)
Hugh de Gray (born 1203)
John de Grey (born around 1230 AD)
Sir Thomas de Grey of Heaton (born 1266 AD)
Sir Thomas de grey, Knight (born 1297)
Sir Thomas II (born 1328)
Thomas IV (born 1359)
John Grey, 1^st Earl of Tankerville (1384)
Henry Grey, 2^nd Earl of Tankerville (1419)
Richard Grey, 3^rd Earl of Tankerville (1436)
John de Grey, 2^nd Baron of Powys (1454)
John de Grey, 2^nd Baron of Powys (1483)
Edward Grey, 3^rd Baron Grey of Powis (1502, born in Wales)
Edward Grey (born 1545)

Early American and New World Settlers
Immigration and other records of early Americans seem to sparse in regard to this surname, relative to other names. A one Daniel Grey came to Virginia in 1654. It also appears to be present in the Carribean from an early time: Ursula Grey was buried in St. Michael’s parish in Barbados in 1678.

In Canada, two of the earliest bearers were Daniel and Mary Grey, who came aboard the Salus in 1833 and arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick. In Australia, John Grey, a miner who arrived in New South Wales, was one of the earliest bearers of the same in that country, having arrived in the late 1820s or early 1830s. Two of the earliest bearers in New Zealand were Benjamin and George Grey, who camein 1843.

Early Americans Bearing the Carson Family Crest
I researched the following three resources and did not find any coats of arms for Grey: Bolton’s American Armory, Matthew’s American Armoury and Bluebook, and Crozier’s General Armory.

Mottoes
We have identified four Grey family mottoes:
1) Foy est tout (Faith is all)
2) A ma puissance (According to my power)
3) De bon vouloir servir le roy (To serve the king with right good will)
4) Mentis honestae gloria (The glory of an honest mind)

Grantees
We have 35 coats of arms for the Grey surname depicted here. These 35 blazons are from Bernard Burke’s book The General Armory of England, Ireland, and Scotland, which was published in 1848. The bottom of this page contains the blazons, and in many instances contains some historical, geographical, and genealogical about where coat of arms was found and who bore it. People with this last name that bore a Grey Coat of Arms include:
1) Anne Grey, wife of Richard, of London, 1526-49
2) Henry Grey, Lord Yelverton, supporters and quarterings, 4 November 1680, by Sir. W Dugdale

Notables
There are hundreds of notable people with the Grey surname. This page will mention a handful. Famous people with this last name include: 1) Albert Henry George Grey (1851-1917) who was the 9^th Governor General of Canada and 4^th Earl of Grey who was a radical liberal aristocrat, 2) Lady Jane Grey (1536-1554) who was an English noblemen who was the de facto monarch of England and Ireland in 1553, 3) Sir Raleigh Grey (1860-1936) who was a British coloniser of Southern Rhodesia who played an important role in the early colonial government, 4) Peter Zane Grey (1872-1939) who was an American dentist and author who was known for his novelist in the Western genre, 5) Al Grey (1925-2000) who was a jazz trombonist who was associated with Count Basie’s orchestra, 6) Alex Grey (1953) who was an American artist and Vajrayana practitioner, 7) Charles Grey (1729-1807) was the 1^st Earl Grey who was a British general who served in Seven Years’ War who also served in the American War of Independence, 8) Sir Henry de Grey of Grays Thurrock (1155-1219) who was a favorite court member of King John Of England, 9) Lita Grey (1908-1995) who was born Lillita Louise MacMurray Grey who was an actress and wife of Charlie Chaplin, and 10) Nigel de Grey (1886-1951) who was British codebreaker who was the grandson of the 5^th Lord Walsingham.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes