Map of England showing where the Wray arms are recorded
The Wray arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Wray 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Wray Family in England
The surname Wray is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, where it originated as a topographical name derived from the Old Norse word *vrá*, meaning a nook, corner, or secluded piece of land. Families bearing this name were likely identified by the specific geography of their homesteads, often living near a bend in a river or a sheltered corner of a valley. By the early 17th century, members of the Wray family had established a significant presence in the county of Devon. This migration from the north to the southwest suggests that the family was mobile and industrious during a period of great social change in England. These early settlers in Devon integrated into the local community, leaving behind records that document their lives as landowners and active participants in the regional economy of the 1620s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Az. on a chief or, three martlets sa”
AntrimBentfield · Antrim, c. 1809
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Map of Ireland showing where the Wray arms are recorded
The Wray arms were recorded in Antrim, c. 1809.
Antrim was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants and had them recorded, so their arms are unusually well documented.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Wray 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 Antrim.
Origin & History of the Wray Family in Ireland
The family name Wray has deep roots in the northern landscape of Ireland, particularly within County Antrim. While the name is of Old Norse and Northern English origin, meaning a remote corner or a nook of land, it became firmly established in the Irish province of Ulster by the early nineteenth century. By 1809, members of the Wray family were well-integrated into the local community in Antrim, likely arriving as part of the broader migration patterns that shaped the region during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These early settlers often worked as farmers or tradespeople, contributing to the development of the local economy and the social fabric of the county. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the area, reflecting the long history of movement and settlement that defines the heritage of the north of Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
vra
Old Norse term referring to a corner, nook, or secluded bend.
This name
WrayA topographic name for someone who lived near a nook, corner, or bend in a river.
also spelled
Wrey
Related arms
Wreyvariant spelling
Fitz-Henryrecorded with Wray, 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 English Surnames, 1958
Devon Heritage Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
axeThe execution of military duty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
axeThe execution of military duty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
