A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greville family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2328 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. à la croix engr. d'or, ch. de cinq tourt. du champ; à la bord. engr. aussi d'or (Greville); au 2 d'or fretté d'azur (Willoughby); au 3 de gu. à la fasce d'or, acc. de six croix recr. du même (Beauchamp). Deux cq., le 1 timbré d'une couronne de gu. C.: 1° un cygne iss. d'arg., bq. de gu.; 2° un ours ramp. d'arg., emmuselé de gu., coll. et enchainé d'or, tenant un bâton noueux d'arg. S.: deux cygnes d'arg., bq. et m. de gu., coll. de couronnes du même. D.: VIX EA NOSTRA VOCO.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Greville Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Greville arms are recorded
The Greville arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Greville arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Greville Family in France
The family name Greville traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Brittany. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well established within this coastal province. The name likely originates from a local place name, as was common for families living in rural areas during that era. Life in Brittany in 1725 was defined by a strong connection to the land and the sea, and families like the Grevilles were often involved in the agricultural or maritime trades that supported the local economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, maintaining their presence in local parish records and community life. This early history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the small towns and villages of the French countryside, helping to shape the cultural identity of the Breton people over many generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa. on a cross engr. or, five pellets, a bordure engr. of the second, for GREVILLE; 2nd, or, fretty az., for WILLOUGHBY; 3rd, gu. a fesse betw. six crosses crosslet or, for BEAUCHAMP”
WarwickBrooke · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Greville Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Greville arms are recorded
The Greville arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 France when the Greville 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Greville Family in England
The Greville family name traces its roots in England to the medieval period, eventually establishing a deep connection to the town of Warwick. While the family had earlier origins in the Cotswolds, their prominence grew significantly when they acquired Warwick Castle in the early 17th century. By 1620, the Grevilles were firmly entrenched in the social and political life of the region, serving as influential landowners and local leaders. Their rise to power was marked by a steady accumulation of property and status, which allowed them to become central figures in Warwickshire society. Over time, the family name became synonymous with the history of the castle itself, reflecting their long-standing commitment to the development and governance of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gravelle
Derived from the Old French word for gravel or sandy ground.
This name
GrevilleRefers to someone who lived near a gravelly or stony area.
also spelled
Grevil
Gryville
Related arms
Nugentsimilar arms
Wardrecorded with Greville, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne
Poter, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
