Show ContentsGrylls History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Grylls family

The surname Grylls was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Lanreth.

"The only gentleman's seat in the parish [of St. Anthony in Kirrier, Cornwall] is Bosahan, an elegant modern built mansion, erected by the late Thomas Grylls, Esq. of Helston. Its situation is eligible and commanding, and it furnishes a pleasing view of the most diversified scenery." 1

"The manor of Polkinhorne [in the parish of Gwinear] belonged at a very early period to an ancient family of that name, with whom it continued until the reign of Charles II. ; when the heiress of this family married Thomas Glynn, Esq; of Helston. In the year 1757, Cordelia, sister and sole heiress of Thomas Glynn, Esq., grandson of the preceding, brought this manor in marriage to Richard Gerveys Grylls, Esq. of Helston, from whom it descended to his son the Rev. Richard Grylls, and Humphrey Millet Grylls, Esq. the present proprietors." 1

Early History of the Grylls family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grylls research. Another 256 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1611, 1644, 1720 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Grylls History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grylls Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Griles, Grills, Gryles, Grylles, Grill, Gril and many more.

Early Notables of the Grylls family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir John Grills knighted in 1644, Sheriff of Cornwall. "The [manor of Faweton, Conrwall] now belongs to the Rev. Richard Gerveys Grylls of Helston
  • one moiety by inheritance from Sir John Grylls his ancestor, and the other by purchase from its several possessors. The moieties thus re-united, were divided by deed in 1722. In right of this manor, t...


Australia Grylls migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Grylls Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Grylls, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 2
  • Margaret Grylls, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 2

New Zealand Grylls migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Grylls Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J C Grylls, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope"
  • Rev. J. C. Grylls, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 3
  • J Grylls, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
  • Rich Grylls, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship "Amelia Thompson"

Contemporary Notables of the name Grylls (post 1700) +

  • David Miles Grylls (b. 1957), American gold and silver medalist track cyclist, active in the 1980s
  • Sir William Michael John Grylls (b. 1934), nicknamed Tiger Grylls, a British Conservative politician who was implicated in the cash-for-questions affair, father of adventurer Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls
  • Rosalie Glynn "Mary" Grylls (1905-1988), Lady Mander, a British biographer, lecturer and Liberal Party politician
  • Pinny Grylls, British documentary filmmaker
  • Vaughan Grylls, British artist, photographer and author
  • Brendon John Grylls (b. 1973), Australian politician, Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for Pilbara (2013-)
  • Willow Grylls, British producer and actress, known for The Missing (2014), The Take (2009) and Mischief Night (2006)
  • Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls (b. 1974), British adventurer, writer and television presenter, known for Man vs. Wild (2006), The Island with Bear Grylls (2014) and Bear Grylls: Surviving the Island (2014)


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SOMERSETSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Somersetshire.htm
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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