A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greenfield family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1443 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Vert on a cross ar. five torteaux”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Greenfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Greenfield arms are recorded
The Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield Family in England
The surname Greenfield is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a specific open field or a grassy clearing. In medieval England, families often took their names from the landscape surrounding their homes to distinguish themselves from neighbors. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 show members of the Greenfield family living in this historic area, which was a major center for trade and religion at the time. Because York served as a hub for northern England, the family likely benefited from the city’s economic growth and its strong connection to the surrounding countryside. Over time, the name spread from these rural roots into the urban centers of England, reflecting the movement of families as they sought new opportunities in growing cities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three clarions or, a crescent for diff”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Greenfield Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Greenfield arms are recorded
The Greenfield arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Greenfield arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Greenfield Family in Wales
The history of the Greenfield name in Wales is deeply rooted in the social and administrative landscape of Denbighshire during the seventeenth century. By 1647, records confirm that family members were established in the town of Denbigh, a location that served as a significant center for trade and local government in North Wales. During this period, the name likely functioned as a topographic identifier, describing families who lived near open pastures or cleared lands on the outskirts of the town. As the family integrated into the local community, they participated in the typical life of a Welsh market town, navigating the complex political shifts of the English Civil War era. Their presence in Denbigh suggests they were part of the growing class of landholders and tradespeople who helped shape the region’s development during a time of great national transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grene and Feld
Old English words for green and an open area of land.
This name
GreenfieldA topographic name for someone who lived near a grassy field or pasture.
also spelled
Greenfeild
Related arms
Grefieldvariant spelling
Grenfeldvariant 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, Percy Hide, 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
