Map of England showing where the Gretton arms are recorded
The Gretton 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 Gretton 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 Gretton Family in England
The family name Gretton is a locational surname, which means it originated from people who lived in or near a place called Gretton. There are several villages with this name in England, most notably in Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire. The name itself comes from Old English words meaning a farmstead or village situated on gravelly soil. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gretton family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living there often worked in specialized crafts or local government. As the family moved away from their original ancestral villages, they carried the name Gretton with them to identify their origins to others in their new communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gret-tun
Old English for a gravelly farmstead or settlement.
This name
GrettonRefers to a person who lived at a farm or village situated on gravelly soil.
also spelled
Greten
Gretyn
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
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
