The color gray has long held significance in heraldry and family crests. It is one of the more uncommon tinctures, or colors, used in heraldry and can convey different meanings depending on the context. Generally speaking, the color gray is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, and neutrality.
When depicted in a family crest, the color gray may represent an allegiance to a gray-clad religious order, an association with a place name containing the word “gray,” or even an allusion to bad weather. The specific symbolism depends greatly on the history and origins of the family in question. Here is a closer look at the various meanings behind the color gray in family crests and heraldry.
Meanings Associated with Gray
Some of the common symbolic associations of the color gray in heraldry include:
– Wisdom and dignity – Gray hair is associated with aging and the wisdom that comes with experience. The color gray in a coat of arms may signify wisdom, intellect, and dignity.
– Independence – Gray is a neutral color that does not easily tilt toward any extreme. This can symbolize independence of thought and judgement.
– Detachment – Similarly, gray can represent detachment, impartiality, and objectivity. A family associated with politics, law, or justice may incorporate gray to signify their unbiased nature.
– Humility – In Christian symbolism, gray is sometimes considered the color of humility, in contrast to the passion of red or the spirituality of white. Families with religious associations may use gray for its humble connotations.
– Cloudy weather – Gray is the color of rainclouds and stormy skies. For families associated with a cool, damp climate, gray may be chosen for its depiction of typical local weather.
– Monastic ties – Cool gray is the color traditionally worn by monks of certain religious orders, such as the Franciscans. A family with monastic members may reference this using the color gray.
Using Place Names
In some cases, the color gray in a family crest relates directly to a place name associated with the family. Names containing the word “gray” or variations of it are reasonably common in the British Isles and France.
For example, an English family from Grays in Essex or Grays Thurrock in Kent might incorporate the color gray as a nod to their hometown. The same would apply to families with roots in Grayshott or Graywell in Hampshire.
Among French surnames containing versions of “gray,” examples include Desgrange, Legros, and Decagrey. Families with these names may use gray tinctures in reference to their names.
Charges Often Depicted in Gray
In heraldry, the objects depicted on a coat of arms are known as charges. When colored gray, some charges take on additional symbolic meaning:
| Charge | Gray Meaning |
|---|---|
| Castle | Stability, defense, shelter |
| Column | Fortitude, wisdom from experience |
| Elephant | Dignity, power of intellect |
| Mountains | Aspiration, ambition |
| Sword | Justice, impartiality |
These charges connect back to some of the common attributes associated with the color gray itself. Other charges that fit the symbolism of gray include owls, books, and griffins.
Gray in Municipal Heraldry
Beyond family crests, the color gray also appears in civic and municipal heraldry. Cities containing “gray” in their names, such as Graz, Austria and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England incorporate gray tinctures as part of their civic arms.
Gray is also used in coat of arms representing cities with foggy climates (Hamilton, Canada), cities located on gray seas (Aberdeen, Scotland), and cities associated with granite and stone (Aberdeen, Scotland again). Civic coats of arms reflect local history, geography, and industries.
Noteworthy Examples of Gray in Heraldry
To illustrate some real-world uses of the color gray in heraldry, here are a few noteworthy examples:
House of Gray: This prominent Scottish family’s coat of arms features a gray shield with three cinquefoils, symbolizing protection of the church. The Grays were supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Viscounts of Gray: A title in the Peerage of Scotland held by the Gray family, their crest includes an elephant’s head colored gray against a red background, suggesting wisdom and dignity.
Clan Gunn: This Scottish clan uses a gray galley ship on some versions of their crest, likely referencing their Norse roots and skills in navigation. The gray color suggests independence.
The lion crest of Leóns: Leóns, Spain uses a prominent gray castle against which walks a golden lion. The gray represents the city’s long history and noble stature.
Rarity of Gray in Heraldry
Despite these distinguished examples, gray remains an uncommon color in heraldry over all. The primary colors used are red, blue, black, green and purple. Unlike these bold hues, gray lacks vibrancy on the battlefield and tournament grounds where heraldry originated.
Additionally, the production of gray dyes historically posed challenges. Proper representation was difficult in this pre-industrial era. Consequently, gray is far less prevalent than other tinctures. When it does appear, its neutrality stands out and makes a deliberate symbolic statement.
Conclusion
While not a frequently seen heraldic color, gray carries unique symbolism when it does appear in family crests, civic arms, and other coats of arms. It conveys neutrality, wisdom, dignity, detachment, and independence. Gray tinctures may reference place names, religious connotations, or local geography and climate.
Its rarity in heraldry makes the color gray especially notable when incorporated into a coat of arms. The presence of gray demonstrates intentionality in the symbolism and meaning being conveyed about the bearer. Whether representing a noble house, historic town, or religious order, the cool tones of gray speak to the venerable and sagacious nature of the family or institution it represents.