A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greenland family of England.
Reg. 7774 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. three saltires vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Greenland Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Greenland arms are recorded
The Greenland 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 Greenland 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 Greenland Family in England
The surname Greenland is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived on or near a specific piece of land known for its lush vegetation. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Greenland family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Greenlands were often involved in local commerce or skilled crafts. The name suggests that the family’s ancestors likely occupied a fertile meadow or a well-tended green space, which eventually became the permanent identifier for their descendants. As the family grew, they integrated into the social fabric of Northern England, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local administrative documents that highlight their long-standing presence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grene Land
Old English words for verdant or grassy terrain.
This name
GreenlandA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a patch of green land.
also spelled
Greneland
Grienland
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
