Gray Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Gray come from? What does the surname Gray mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Gray and family migration on YourRoots Map.
McGreevy, Grayer, Grays, Grey, Grice
Surname Gray Origin: What does the last name Gray mean?
The surname Gray has English and Scottish origins, with the Scottish instances likely deriving from the Germanic Scots language, cognate with Old English "gr√¶g" meaning "grey", possibly referring to hair color. Historical records show the surname Gray first appearing in England in the early 13th century. Over time, Gray became prevalent in Scotland from the 13th to the 15th century, before spreading to other countries. In the United States, Gray family records saw a significant increase from the 16th to the 18th century, surpassing Scotland in frequency.
YourRoots data confirms the global spread of the Gray surname, with a notable presence in the United States since the 16th century. This trend continued through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, solidifying Gray as a prominent surname in the US. Today, Gray is found in various regions worldwide, reflecting a broad global distribution and highlighting its enduring legacy across different cultures and countries.
Gray Last Name History: Where did the last name Gray come from?
Origin of Gray Surname: Where does the last name Gray originate from?
The surname Gray first appears in historical records from England (United Kingdom) around the early 13th century, according to YourRoots data. This is based solely on the exact spelling "Gray" and does not take into account other record sources or variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Gray: What does the Gray surname history look like in the early days?
The "Gray" surname was initially most prevalent in Scotland (United Kingdom) from the 13th to the 15th century, as per YourRoots database. Over time, the Gray surname started to gain more frequency in other countries. From the 16th to the 18th century, the United States began to see a significant increase in the volume of Gray family records.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Gray surname today?
Since the 16th century, the United States has seen a considerable growth in the volume of Gray family records, surpassing even Scotland (United Kingdom) where the surname was initially most common. This trend continued through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Today, the "Gray" surname is prominent in the United States, but it is also found in various regions worldwide, reflecting a broad global distribution.
Explore Gray last name heritage and Gray surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Gray Surame?
Macy Gray
Natalie Renée McIntyre (born Sep 6, 1967) known as Macy Gray, is an American R&B singer and actress with a distinctive raspy voice. She gained fame with her hit single "I Try" and has sold over 25 million records worldwide. Gray has also appeared in popular films like Spider-Man and Training Day.
Linda Gray
Linda Ann Gray (born Sep 12, 1940) is an American actress best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the TV series Dallas. She received critical acclaim and awards for her portrayal of the long-suffering wife of J.R. Ewing.
Erin Gray
Erin Gray (January 7, 1950 - ) is an American actress known for her roles as Colonel Wilma Deering in "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" and Kate Summers-Stratton in "Silver Spoons." She has also worked as a casting agent and is a role model for female viewers in the science fiction genre.
Brett Gray
Brett Gray (born Aug 7, 1997) is an American actor and singer known for his roles as Jamal Turner in Netflix's "On My Block" and Dal R'El in "Star Trek: Prodigy." Raised in Philadelphia, Gray's debut single "Old Thing Back" and EP "Easy Daze" showcase his talent beyond the screen.
Gregory Gray
Gregory Paul Lerwill Gray (20 May 1959 - 25 April 2019) was a Northern Irish singer and songwriter known for his eclectic music style. He started as a member of Rosetta Stone before forming Perfect Crime. Gray also had a solo career and gained a cult following under the pseudonym Mary Cigarettes.
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