A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greman family of England.
Reg. 0565 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. two bars or, in chief three griffins' heads erased of the second, a bordure ar. (another, a bend gobonated ar. and sa.)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Greman Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Greman arms are recorded
The Greman 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 Greman 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 Greman Family in England
The family name Greman has roots that trace back to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Gremans were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that kept the city running. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly serving as a descriptive nickname for a person’s character or their specific trade within the community. As the family established their presence in the North of England, they became part of the long history of York’s residents who navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era. By remaining in such a significant urban hub, the early Gremans contributed to the local fabric of the city during a time of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Germanus
Latin term meaning brotherly, genuine, or of the same stock.
This name
GremanAn occupational or ethnic identifier originally denoting a person from Germany.
also spelled
Gryman
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
