We celebrate National Grey Day on April 3 every year. We do this to honor a name that stems from the Boernician tribe that once inhabited the area that is now the boundary between Scotland and England. There are two distinct beginnings to the family name Grey that can be found in Scotland. The name was derived from the Gaelic word ‘Riabhach’, which can be translated as “gray.” It is possible to trace its roots back to the region of Calvados, specifically to the village of Graye.
History of National Grey Day
The Boernician tribe of the ancient Scottish-English border region is where the name Grey originates for someone with gray hair. There are two different origins for the surname Grey in Scotland. The Gaelic term ‘Riabhach’, which signifies gray, was the inspiration for the moniker. Its origins can be traced back to Calvados, where the town of Graye is located. A personal name, Gratus, which means “welcome or pleasing,” was the inspiration for the name of this location. Because of this, the name “grey” is a hereditary surname that is both a nickname and a place name.
Anschatel Groy of Haute Saone, Normandy, who fought with William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D., was the first person to bear the surname Grey in Northumberland. In Northumberland, Anschatel Groy made his home in Chillingham after the conquest was complete. There is a Normandy department of Haute Saone known as Gray, or Groy, or Croy.
Thousands of Scots migrated to the U.S. to escape poverty and persecution. In the course of their journey, they lost much of their cultural legacy. Clan associations and highland sports, on the other hand, have helped many ancestral Scots to rediscover their inheritance in this century. Many early immigration records show that persons with the name Grey came to the U.S. long before the arrival of the first settlers.
National Grey Day timeline
The Singer Skylar Grey features on the song ‘I need a doctor’ and her powerful vocals receive Grammy nominations.
Actor Grey Damon stars in the book series turned movie series: “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”
The film version of the acclaimed novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, gets released.
During the KBB Retail & Design Awards in September, Johnny Grey obtains a Special Achievement Award for his contributions to retail design.
National Grey Day FAQs
What are the other forms of the name Grey?
Other long forms of the name include Greyson and Grayson which are increasing in popularity.
Is Grey a weird name?
While it is a highly unusual first name, it is very popular as a surname.
Is the spelling grey or gray in the U.S.?
It’s customary to use the terms gray and grey to refer to the color between white and black. Grey is more widespread in British English while gray is more common in American English.
National Grey Day Activities
Watch Grey’s Anatomy
Follow Meredith Grey on her journey as a medical doctor in “Grey’s Anatomy”. This series is heartwarming and heart-wrenching, one thing about this show is you will feel all the emotions of the characters with the phenomenal acting.
Give the name
Give the name Grey to your child or cat. It is a fitting name for a grey-colored cat.
Watch The Grey
This adventure and drama-filled movie is also a way to celebrate National Grey Day. Liam Neeson, Joe Anderson, Badge Dale, and a host of other actors star in this film.
5 Characters Named Grey
Christian Grey
He is one of the main characters of the novel and movie in the “Fifty Shades” trilogy.
Meredith Grey
She is one of the main characters in the medical television show, “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Gandalf the Grey
He is a character from the movie series “Lord of the Rings.”
Grey Worm
This interesting character appeared in the television series “Game of Thrones.”
Lexie Grey
Alexandra “Lexie” Grey is a sister of Meredith Grey who is also seen on the television series, Grey’s Anatomy.
Why We Love National Grey Day
Widely used
Grey is a widely used surname in its different variations. It can be seen from royalty to fiction to sports to entertainment.
Different spellings
Grey can also be spelled as Gray which has a lot of people bearing the name. You can choose to spell your name as one of them.
Simple name
The surname is a simple name with a simple meaning. Everyone can pronounce it, even children.
National Grey Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 3 | Thursday |
| 2026 | April 3 | Friday |
| 2027 | April 3 | Saturday |
| 2028 | April 3 | Monday |
| 2029 | April 3 | Tuesday |
Log In With Google