A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greenough family of England.
Reg. 8281 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a bend engr. sa. three buglehorns stringed of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Greenough Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Greenough arms are recorded
The Greenough 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 Greenough 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 Greenough Family in England
The surname Greenough is a locational name that originated in England, likely describing someone who lived near a green hollow or a grassy slope. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, the family was part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped define the city’s economy. As the seventeenth century progressed, some members of the family began to migrate away from Northern England. This movement was often driven by the search for new trade opportunities or the religious and political shifts that were changing the country at the time. The name remains a reflection of the family's deep roots in the English landscape and their long history of adapting to new environments.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Greene-hough
A green-colored hill or a hollow area covered in lush vegetation.
This name
GreenoughRefers to a person who lived near a verdant hill or a grassy hollow.
also spelled
Greenoe
Greeno
Related arms
Greanhallsimilar arms
Barnedrecorded with Greenough, same area
Girdlestonerecorded with Greenough, same area
Goldsmidrecorded with Greenough, same area
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
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
