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Definition of de grey

de grey

Plural:de Greys
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de grey Lexical Profile

• noun

1

British An English surname of Norman origin, historically associated with prominent British aristocratic families and titles, such as the Earl de Grey.

Example

"The de Grey family played a significant role in English politics and estate management during the 19th century."


2

Australian A major river located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, flowing northwest into the Indian Ocean.

Example

"During the intensive wet season, the De Grey River often experiences substantial flooding across its vast surrounding catchment area."

Word Nuance & Usage

Capitalization varies based on context; it is typically styled as 'de Grey' when functioning as an aristocratic British surname, but frequently capitalized as 'De Grey' in geographical designations.

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Norman French 'de' (of) and 'Graye', referring to the commune of Graye-sur-Mer in Calvados, Normandy. The name was brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066 and subsequently adopted as an aristocratic surname.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of De grey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/de grey
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