A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grimsby family of England.
Reg. 4286 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Barry nebulée of six sa. and or, on a chief ar. three birds of the first”
LeicesterDrakelow · Leicester, c. 1459
Where the Grimsby Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Grimsby arms are recorded
The Grimsby arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1459.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Grimsby 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Grimsby Family in England
The surname Grimsby is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from the town of Grimsby in Lincolnshire. During the medieval period, people often adopted the name of their hometown as a way to identify themselves when they moved to new areas. By 1459, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Leicester, which was a significant center for trade and administration at the time. This migration suggests that the family likely moved inland to seek new economic opportunities in the growing urban markets of the Midlands. As they settled into these new communities, the name transitioned from a simple description of origin into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grimr and byr
Old Norse for a mask or helmet and a farmstead or village.
This name
GrimsbyRefers to a settlement or village established by a person named Grim.
also spelled
Grimsbie
Grymsby
Related arms
Grimsbiesame arms
Grymsbyvariant spelling
Gresleyrecorded with Grimsby, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Leicestershire Archives, Records of the Borough of Leicester, 1459
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
