A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grosse family of England.
Reg. 3560 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, ar. and az. on a bend sa. three martlets or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Grosse Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Grosse arms are recorded
The Grosse arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Grosse 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Grosse Family in England
The surname Grosse is rooted in the Middle English and Old French word "gros," which was used to describe a person of large physical stature or significant importance. During the Middle Ages, names were often adopted based on a person’s most noticeable physical trait or their social standing within a village. By the time the family was established in Norfolk in 1620, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname passed down through generations. Records from this era show that members of the Grosse family were active participants in the local economy and social life of East Anglia. As the family settled into the region, they became part of the agricultural and merchant classes that defined the rural landscape of seventeenth-century England. The name remains a reflection of the family’s long history of integration into the local community and their enduring presence in the Norfolk countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
crassus
Latin term meaning thick, fat, or dense.
This name
GrosseA descriptive nickname for a person of large physical stature or heavy build.
also spelled
Gros
Related arms
Legoossame arms
Cranerecorded with Grosse, same area
Lanyonrecorded with Grosse, same area
Rosewarnerecorded with Grosse, 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, 1997
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for Norfolk, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
