A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greystoke family of Britain.
Reg. 5023 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'arg. et d'azur; à trois couronnes de roses de gu., br. sur le fascé, 2 et 1. C.: un léopard d'or.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Greystoke Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Greystoke arms are recorded
The Greystoke arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Greystoke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Greystoke Family in Britain
The name Greystoke is rooted in the landscape of northern England, specifically originating from a village of the same name in Cumberland. The name is derived from Old Norse and Old English words that describe a stony or gravelly hill, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who lived near this distinct geographical feature. While the family name is tied to this northern region, historical records confirm that members of the family had migrated south to Kent by the early 1700s. This movement was common during the eighteenth century as people sought new opportunities in trade and agriculture closer to London. By settling in Kent, these individuals transitioned from their northern origins to become part of the local community in the south, where they established roots that would persist for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graistok
A place name derived from Old Norse and Old English elements.
This name
GreystokeRefers to a settlement located near a grey-colored tree stump or stone.
also spelled
Greystoke
Greistok
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
The National Archives, Kew. Parish registers for the county of Kent, series RG 4
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
