A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grain family of England.
Reg. 6809 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per bend gu. and vert an eagle displ. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Grain Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Grain arms are recorded
The Grain arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Grain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Grain Family in England
The surname Grain is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a topographical identifier. In the context of the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Grain family were firmly established in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family was likely integrated into the urban economy of the region. As the name evolved, it remained closely tied to the social fabric of Yorkshire, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined English family life during the transition into the Stuart era. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent city, the early Grain family members were part of a stable community that navigated the significant political and religious changes occurring throughout England at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Granum
Latin term referring to a seed, kernel, or grain of corn.
This name
GrainAn occupational name for a worker who dealt in grain or a nickname for a small person.
also spelled
Grain
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
