A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grindley family of England.
Reg. 4693 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 cross betw. four pheons or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Grindley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Grindley arms are recorded
The Grindley 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 Grindley 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 Grindley Family in England
The family name Grindley is rooted in the landscape of northern England, specifically within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this region. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old English words "grind" and "leah," which together describe a clearing near a mill or a stony meadow. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who lived near a specific landmark that defined their local community. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of York, contributing to the local economy and trade networks that defined life in a bustling medieval and early modern city. Their presence in 17th-century records highlights a long-standing connection to the north, reflecting a history tied to the land and the development of local townships over many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grindley
Derived from the Old English words for green and clearing.
This name
GrindleyRefers to someone who lived near a grassy or verdant woodland clearing.
also spelled
Grindlay
Gryndley
Related arms
Grindlayvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
