A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grey family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6088 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'arg. et d'azur, la première fasce ch. de trois tourt. de gu., surmontés d'un lambel d'herm.”
Britainc. 1446
Where the Grey Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Grey arms are recorded
The Grey arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1446.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in Britain when the Grey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Grey Family in Britain
The surname Grey has deep roots in the British landscape, serving as a descriptive name that likely originated from a person’s physical appearance or the color of their clothing. While the name appears across various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent by 1446. During this period, families often lived in small rural communities where they worked as landowners or tradespeople. Because surnames were still becoming standardized in the fifteenth century, the spelling of the name often shifted depending on how a local clerk recorded it in parish registers or tax documents. This family presence in Kent highlights how the name became woven into the local social fabric long before the modern era, reflecting the steady migration and settlement patterns of medieval England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. a bend vert cotised dancettée gu”
BedfordSegenhoe · Bedford, c. 1620
Where the Grey Arms Were Recorded
Bedford
Map of England showing where the Grey arms are recorded
The Grey arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought 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 Britain when the Grey 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 Bedford.
Origin & History of the Grey Family in England
The surname Grey has deep roots in the English landscape, often serving as a descriptive nickname for individuals with gray hair or clothing. By the time the family established a notable presence in Bedford during the early 17th century, the name had already been part of the social fabric of England for generations. Families carrying this name were often tied to the local agricultural economy and the shifting administrative structures of English towns. In the years leading up to 1620, those who held the name were typically common citizens who contributed to the growth of their parishes through trade, farming, and local governance. As the family settled into Bedford, they became part of the broader migration patterns that defined the era, reflecting the steady movement of people seeking new opportunities within the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Barry of six ar. au point en point vert and sa”
DublinDublin, c. 1607
Where the Grey Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Grey arms are recorded
The Grey arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1607.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Grey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Grey Family in Ireland
The history of the Grey family in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in England and Normandy, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1607. This period was a time of great change as the English administration tightened its control over Irish lands and governance. Families like the Greys often moved to Dublin to participate in the growing legal, merchant, and administrative circles of the city. As they settled into the capital, they became part of the complex social fabric of a country undergoing rapid transformation. Over the following decades, the family name became associated with the urban development of Dublin and the broader integration of new settlers into the Irish economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grae
Old English term referring to the color gray or a badger.
This name
GreyA descriptive nickname for someone with gray hair or a gray complexion.
also spelled
Gray
Gry
Graie
Gree
Related arms
Capecesimilar arms
van der Gotensimilar arms
Grayvariant spelling
Grayevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/195/43 (Record of legal disputes involving individuals in Kent, c. 1446)
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
