A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gray family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6681 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
What the shield shows
A black background with a silver strip along the top.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa., au chef d'arg.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Gray Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Gray arms are recorded
The Gray arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gray arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Gray Family in France
PronunciationGRAY/ɡreɪ/
The family name Gray carries a deep history rooted in the eastern regions of France. By the mid-17th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the Franche-Comté region. This area, located near the border of modern-day Switzerland, was a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange. Families living here often held ties to the land and local governance, playing a role in the daily life of their communities during a time of significant political transition for the province.
The name itself likely evolved from descriptions of a person’s appearance or their ancestral home. In the context of Franche-Comté, the name became associated with families who settled in rural estates or small towns. By 1663, these individuals were documented in local parish registers, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths. These records suggest that the Gray family was well-integrated into the social fabric of the region, participating in the agricultural and civic activities that defined life in eastern France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
What the shield shows
A red background with a silver lion rearing up, holding a blue anchor between its paws with a snake coiled around it in its natural colours.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a lion ramp. ar. holding betw. his paws an anchor az. environed with an adder ppr”
AberdeenSchivas · Aberdeen, c. 1680
Where the Gray Arms Were Recorded
Aberdeen
Map of Scotland showing where the Gray arms are recorded
The Gray arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1680.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in France when the Gray arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Gray Family in Scotland
PronunciationGRAY/ɡreɪ/
The surname Gray has deep roots in Scotland, where it emerged as a descriptive name. In the Middle Ages, it was common to give people nicknames based on their physical appearance. The name likely began as a way to identify someone with gray hair or gray clothing. Over time, these nicknames became permanent family names that were passed down from parents to their children. By the time the name became established, families bearing it had spread across various regions of the country.
By the early 17th century, the Gray family had established a notable presence in the town of Forfar. Records from 1634 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this area during a time of significant social change in Scotland. During this period, families in Forfar were often involved in local trade, agriculture, or the administration of the burgh. While the name originated as a simple description, the families who carried it eventually became integral parts of their local communities, contributing to the history and development of the Scottish Lowlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A background of six stripes, silver and blue, with a red diagonal band across them carrying three silver roses.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Barry of six ar. and az. on a bend gu. three roses of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gray Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gray arms are recorded
The Gray arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Gray arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Gray Family in England
PronunciationGRAY/ɡreɪ/
The surname Gray is a classic example of a descriptive name. It originated in England during the Middle Ages when people began using nicknames to distinguish individuals from one another. The name likely referred to a person with gray hair, a gray beard, or someone who frequently wore gray clothing. Because this was a common physical trait, the name appeared independently in many different regions across the country. It was not tied to a single family line, but rather emerged as a practical way to identify neighbors in local communities.
By the early 17th century, the Gray family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 show that members of the family were active participants in the social and economic life of this historic northern hub. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and administration. Families like the Grays often worked as merchants, craftsmen, or local officials. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were settled, contributing members of society who helped shape the character of York during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graius
Latin term referring to a person of Greek origin or descent.
This name
GrayA locational surname derived from various French towns named Gray, often associated with grey-colored land or hair.
also spelled
Grey
Graie
Grai
Related arms
Greyvariant spelling
Barlowrecorded with Gray, same area
Chapanrecorded with Gray, same area
Colerecorded with Gray, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de la commune de Gray, 1663
Benoît, Arthur, Histoire de la ville de Gray et de ses environs, 1861
Gauthier, Jules, Documents sur la province de Franche-Comté, 1888
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
