Map of England showing where the Gratton arms are recorded
The Gratton 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 Gratton 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 Gratton Family in England
The surname Gratton is a locational name that originated in England, likely derived from Old English words meaning a settlement near a grassy enclosure or a farmstead. Families bearing this name were well-established in the northern regions of the country by the early 17th century, with clear records placing them in the city of York by 1620. During this era, York served as a major hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the Gratton family were likely involved in the local mercantile or craft industries that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community through their work and daily lives. The name remains a testament to these early roots in the north of England, reflecting a history tied to the land and the development of historic urban centers.
Gratton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Grattun
Derived from Old English words for gravel or grit and an enclosure.
This name
GrattonRefers to a settlement or farmstead located on gravelly or sandy soil.
also spelled
Gratten
Grattin
Related arms
Grattanvariant spelling
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
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
