A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Graye family of England.
Reg. 3441 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three storks' heads erased gu. as many roses of the field”
EssexMaldon · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Graye Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Graye arms are recorded
The Graye arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 England when the Graye 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Graye Family in England
The surname Graye is a variant of the name Gray, which originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with gray hair or gray clothing. During the medieval period in England, surnames often evolved from these simple physical observations or personal traits. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region during a time of significant social and religious change. As residents of Essex, these early ancestors were part of a community that played a central role in the agricultural and economic life of southeastern England. The family name remained relatively stable during this era, reflecting the deep roots that many families established in their local parishes before the great migrations to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graeg
Old English term for the color gray or a badger.
This name
GrayeA descriptive nickname for someone with gray hair or a gray complexion.
also spelled
Grey
Graie
Related arms
Greyvariant spelling
Colerecorded with Graye, same area
Harrisrecorded with Graye, same area
Plumrecorded with Graye, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
