A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grammar family of England.
Reg. 9527 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. billettée or, a lion ramp. ar”
WarwickLondon · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Grammar Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Grammar arms are recorded
The Grammar arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Grammar 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Grammar Family in England
The surname Grammar is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive occupational name. During the Middle Ages, the term was often applied to individuals who were scholars, teachers, or those who possessed a formal education in Latin, which was the language of law and the church. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic town of Warwick. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Grammar family were living and working in this region, contributing to the local community during a period of significant social and political change in England. As the family settled into the Midlands, the name became a permanent fixture of the local landscape, reflecting a history tied to both academic pursuit and the steady growth of English provincial life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grammaticus
Latin term meaning a teacher of grammar or a learned person.
This name
GrammarAn occupational surname for a scholar, schoolmaster, or someone who was literate.
also spelled
Grammar
Grammerre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Warwickshire County Record Office, Quarter Sessions 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
