A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grimwood family of England.
Reg. 5890 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a pale ar. surmounted by a chev. or, charged with three mullets of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Grimwood Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Grimwood arms are recorded
The Grimwood 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 Grimwood 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 Grimwood Family in England
The surname Grimwood is of English origin and is classified as a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place. The name is composed of two Old English elements: "grim," which translates to fierce or masked, and "wudu," which refers to a wood or forest. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a dense or imposing woodland area. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Grimwood family were living and working in this region by 1620, placing them in the heart of Northern England during a period of significant social and political change. Over time, the family spread from these northern roots, but the name remains a testament to the ancient connection between early English settlers and the natural landscapes they inhabited.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grimwudu
Old English words for fierce or masked and a wooded area.
This name
GrimwoodDerived from a locative source referring to a person living near a dark or savage forest.
also spelled
Grimwode
Grymwood
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
