Map of England showing where the Greenan arms are recorded
The Greenan 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 Greenan 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 Greenan Family in England
The family name Greenan is primarily rooted in Irish history, where it originated as a Gaelic surname derived from the word *grianán*, which refers to a sunny place or a royal summer palace. While the name is deeply connected to the Gaelic tradition, historical records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a significant center for trade and religious administration, making it a common destination for families moving across the Irish Sea for work or political reasons. These early settlers in England likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, adapting to the social customs of the region while maintaining their distinct family identity. By settling in such a prominent northern city, the early Greenans became part of the diverse social fabric that defined seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grian
Old Irish word for sun
This name
GreenanA topographical name for someone who lived near a sunny or bright location.
also spelled
Greeningh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York. 1620
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