Contemporary view of the surname derivation, this one of the "English" Gray.
It appears that the name came over with the Norman Conquest, in its various forms, from that part of France. The different spellings perhaps indicate the number of sources "de Gray" from the area, or just a general group of people. Much later than 1066 AD the name appears in Scotland.
A view of the Scottish derivation. Not much to choose between the two histories. It appears that the Scottish Grays were as a general spreading northwards, but gives little away as to the differing sets of families at that time. However the spelling after 1300 mentioned only in Scotland is only that of Gray.
The significance I shall attempt to explain in the pages following the Roll Call of the Scoto Irish kings and their connection with Robert the Bruce.
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