Map of England showing where the Gresh arms are recorded
The Gresh 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 Gresh 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 Gresh Family in England
The Gresh family name 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 this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families like the Greshes often lived in close-knit neighborhoods near the city walls or the Minster. Many people at this time worked in skilled crafts or local commerce, which helped them establish a firm footing within the community. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became part of the local fabric of the region. By settling in such a prominent city, the early Greshes were likely witnesses to the significant political and social shifts that defined England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gres
Old French word for gravel or sandy soil.
This name
GreshA topographic name for someone who lived on or near gravelly ground.
also spelled
Grays
Greis
Graies
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
Dobson, R. B., York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1396-1500, 1980
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
