A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grigor family of Britain.
Reg. 9006 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'arg. à un sapin arr. de sin. en bande et une épée d'azur”
BritainLondres, c. 1831
Where the Grigor Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Grigor arms are recorded
The Grigor arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1831.
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 IV
Sovereign of the period
William IV
1830–1837
Reigning in Britain when the Grigor 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 Grigor Family in Britain
The surname Grigor is a variant of the name Gregory, which finds its roots in the Greek word *gregoros*, meaning watchful or alert. While the name became popular across Europe due to its association with early Christian saints and popes, the specific branch of the family found in Kent by 1831 likely migrated from Scotland or northern England. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, many families moved toward the south of England to find work in the growing industrial and agricultural sectors. By the time the family was recorded in Kent, they were part of a larger movement of people settling into new communities. The name Grigor remains a distinct identifier that links these early residents to a long tradition of naming practices that emphasized vigilance and spiritual devotion.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregorios
Derived from the Greek word meaning to be watchful or alert.
This name
GrigorA surname signifying a vigilant, watchful, or alert individual.
also spelled
Grigor
McGregor
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives. Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841. HO 107
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
swordJustice, and military honour
