A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grigsby family of England.
Reg. 7299 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bullValour and generosity
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a fesse betw. three mullets gu. a bull pass. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Grigsby Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Grigsby arms are recorded
The Grigsby 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 Grigsby 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 Grigsby Family in England
The Grigsby surname originates from England and is classified as a locative name, meaning it was likely taken from a specific place or settlement. While the exact origins of the name are rooted in Old English, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in Northern England, living through a time of significant social and political change. As the family grew, individuals began to migrate from these northern roots to other parts of the country and eventually across the Atlantic. The name itself reflects a history tied to the English landscape, marking the family as a long-standing part of the regional heritage in Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grieg
A Norse personal name derived from the word for vigilant or alert.
This name
GrigsbyA habitational name referring to a farmstead or village belonging to Grieg.
also spelled
Grigsby
Grigbie
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bullValour and generosity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bullValour and generosity
