A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gregg family of England.
Reg. 8099 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, three trefoils slipped betw. two chevronels sa”
ChesterGropenhall · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Gregg Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Gregg arms are recorded
The Gregg arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Gregg 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Gregg Family in England
The surname Gregg is a shortened form of the name Gregory, which originates from the Greek word meaning watchful or alert. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gregg family were living in this historic walled city, which served as a major center for trade and administration at the time. Many families with this name were involved in the merchant classes or local civic life during this period. As the century progressed, the name became increasingly common across Northern England and eventually spread to other parts of the British Isles and the American colonies. The family history is deeply connected to the social shifts of the 1600s, reflecting the movement of people during a time of significant economic and religious change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregorius
Derived from the Greek word meaning to be watchful or alert.
This name
GreggA patronymic surname originating from the medieval given name Gregory, signifying a vigilant or watchful person.
also spelled
Grege
Greig
Related arms
Gregoryvariant spelling
Greigvariant spelling
Adamsrecorded with Gregg, same area
Bartholomewrecorded with Gregg, 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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies. Chester City Parish Records. 1620
Reaney, P. H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
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trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
