Gray Clan History

The name derives possibly from the town of Gray in Haute-Saone, France. The first of the name in Scotland is Hugo de Gray in 1248, who was witness in a charter by Walter de Lundin. John Gray, mayor of Berwick, witnessed a gift of land to the Hospital of Soltre between 1250-66.

Henry Grey of Fife rendered homage in 1296, and Huwe Grey, juror on an inquest, also rendered homage.

John Gray was Provost of Crail in 1327, William dictus Gray witnessed a charter by Muriel, widow of Sir William de Roe (1333-63).

John Gray of Broxmouth had a charter of the lands of Craigy in le Mernys in 1357, and Ibbote Gray leased the land of Molyne in 1376.

Many Scottish families, including the Grays, succumbed to the power of Edward I of England and pledged allegiance by signing the Ragman Rolls. They, however, changed their allegiance and went on to follow Robert the Bruce in the quest for Scottish independence. Sir Andrew Gray’s services to the Scottish crown saw him being rewarded with land grants, which included Longforgan in Tayside.

The Lord Lyon, in 1950, barred those with double-barrell names from the chiefship of clans. Angus Diarmid Ian Campbell-Gray, the 22nd Lord Gray had been chief of Clan Gray at the time.

The name is now relatively common across Scotland.