A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Griswold family of England.
Reg. 3253 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a fess gu. betw. two greyhounds courant sa”
WorcesterYardley · Worcester, c. 1620
Where the Griswold Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Griswold arms are recorded
The Griswold arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Griswold 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Griswold Family in England
The surname Griswold is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "gris," meaning gray, and "wold," meaning a forest or high open land. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name likely lived near a prominent gray-colored forest or a stretch of elevated, uncultivated ground. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the English city of Worcester. From this region, members of the family eventually migrated to the American colonies, where they became prominent figures in early New England society. The name has remained a recognizable part of English and American history for centuries, reflecting a long tradition of rural roots that transitioned into civic leadership in the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Griswold
Derived from Old English words for gray and forest or wood.
This name
GriswoldRefers to someone who lived near a gray-colored forest or wood.
also spelled
Griswold
Griswolde
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
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, 1890
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Register Transcripts of Worcester, 1600–1630
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
