Grey Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Grey Name Meaning: Thought to have derived from the Anglo Saxon word 'graeg' meaning 'grey'. May have also been taken from the place name 'Graye' in France.

An Anglo-Saxon nickname which referred to someone with grey coloured hair. May have also been taken from the place name 'graye' in France for someone who lived there.

Discover how your Grey ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Grey Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Grey family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 929
Coal Miner 116
Agricultural Labourer 96
General Labourer 96
Domestic Servant 72
Living On Own Means 69
Dress Maker 67
Labourer 49
General Servant 49
General Servant Domestic 49
Living On Her Own Means 41
Farm Labourer 30
Farm Servant 24
Clerk 24
Farmer 23
Gardener 23
Joiner 22
Laundress 19
House Keeper 19
Blacksmith 18
Carpenter 18
Dressmaker 18
General Domestic Servant 17
Charwoman 15
Tailor 15

Grey Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Gray 75% 210,083
2 Grey 100% 43,115
3 Geary 40% 15,928
4 Gary 50% 1,867
5 Garey 80% 1,488
6 Gorey 80% 1,122
7 Gury 50% 1,007
8 Gearey 67% 621
9 Gery 50% 461
10 Greey 80% 212
11 Groy 75% 204
12 Gory 50% 200
13 Greay 80% 190
14 Gry 75% 123
15 Geory 40% 107

Did you know?

The surname Grey is the 2nd most popular variant of Gray.

Search for the Grey family