A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grenham family of England.
Reg. 3892 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Barry of twelve ar. and az. on a chief gu. three six-foils pierced or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Grenham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Grenham arms are recorded
The Grenham 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 Grenham 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 Grenham Family in England
The Grenham family name is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early Grenhams were likely involved in the bustling urban economy of the time. The name itself follows a pattern common to English surnames, likely originating from a geographical description of a specific settlement or a "green home" located near a communal pasture. As the family established themselves in the region, they contributed to the local community through various trades and civic duties that defined life in a major cathedral city. Their presence in York during this era reflects the broader movement of families who settled in established urban centers to seek stability and professional growth during a period of significant social change in Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grene ham
Old English words for green and a homestead or village.
This name
GrenhamRefers to a person who lived at or near a green-colored settlement or meadow.
also spelled
Grenham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, SP 14
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Account Rolls, Series E21
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
