Grant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Grant

What does the name Grant mean?

Despite claims to the contrary there is evidence that the surname claims descent from the Grants or Grands of Grand Court in St. Michel du Treport, and were the Counts of Eu. Recognizing that the Norman history does not necessarily conflict and remembering that the Normans were overrun by the Vikings in the 9th century the name Grant is still correctly interpreted as the Norman "Grand" meaning "Big" or Eminent."

Grant Coat of Arms Creation

The Grants have as their crest a burning mount, which is probably an imitation of the Beltane fires in the extensive Strathspey moor known as Sliabh Grianais, or plain of the sun. There are many Druidical remains here, and some think that the Grants got their name from the settlement here. Others derive it from the Gaelic grannda, meaning ugly, from an ancestor who was particularly ungainly. There is more reason to believe that it is derived from the French grand.

The motto of the Clan is " Stand fast, Craig-ellachie, " a well known rock. As showing the power of the old slogan on members of the clan, a tale is related of its effect on a former President of the U.S.A., Ulysses S. Grant. During a presidential election he was making a tour through one of the doubtful States and was travelling on an observation car. His political friends were delivering addresses to crowds at the stations, as the President himself was no great speaker. At one station a Scotsman and an American citizen were talking of the grim, taciturn soldier, Grant, who, the American said, was devoid of human emotion. The Scotsman said, "I believe I can rouse him to show emotion and enthusiasm." A bet was laid. When the car with the President stopped, the Scotsman lifted his hat and shouted, "Stand fast, Craig-ellachie ." The effect was instantaneous. A glow suddenly appeared on the President's face; gone was the warrior's grimness, and, returning the salutation, he smilingly bowed his acknow-ledgement. The Scotsman then explained that the magic of his words lay in the fact that they were the war cry of Clan Grant. The bet was paid. 1

Early Origins of the Grant family

The surname Grant was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles, and consisting of a large northern mainland area and various island areas off the west coast, the shire was anciently both a Pictish and Norwegian stronghold, where they held a family seat at Strathspey from very early times.

The earliest records of the name were found in the county of Inverness (in the modern Highland and Western Isles regions). One of the first listings of the Grant family in Scotland is that of Thomas Grant, a merchant of the king of Scotland who was deposed from his position as visor of York Castle on January 2, 1252. Later Lawrence and Robert Grant were witnesses at Inverness in 1258. Sir Laurence Grant was sheriff of Inverness in 1266.

John le Graunt was taken prisoner at Dunbar in 1297 and was held at Gloucester Castle in England. Maurice Grant was sheriff of Inverness in 1330. Richard le Grant (also known as Richard Grant), born in Nazeing, Essex was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1229 to 1231. 2

The motto "Stand Fast" evolved into a surname south of the Scottish border as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Thomas Stanfast, Oxfordshire. 3 In Norfolk, John Standfast, of Lynn, Norfolk was recorded there 3 Edward VI (during the third year of Edward VI's reign.) 4

Early History of the Grant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grant research. Another 250 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1263, 1333, 1620, 1674, 1695 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Grant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grant Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Grant, Grantt, Graunt, Grannd (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Grant family

Sir James Grant, 1st Baronet (died 1695), a Scottish lawyer, appointed King's Advocate
Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States

Grant World Ranking

the United States, the name Grant is the 154^th most popular surname with an estimated 149,220 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Grant is ranked the 97^th most popular surname with an estimated 28,249 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Grant is the 986^th popular surname. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Grant as 385^th with 122 people. 8 Australia ranks Grant as 90^th with 26,905 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Grant as 56^th with 5,169 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Grant as 105^th with 44,691 people. 11

Migration of the Grant family to Ireland

Some of the Grant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grant migration to the United States +

Grant Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Seth Grant, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 13
James Grant, who settled in New England in 1651
Peter Grant who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1651
Charles Grant, who landed in Maryland in 1651 14
Antho Grant, who landed in Virginia in 1652 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Grant, who landed in Maryland in 1716 14
Danl Grant, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 14
Andrew Grant, who arrived in Georgia in 1733 14
Archibald Grant, who settled in Georgia in 1734
Augus Grant, who arrived in Maryland in 1747 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ann Grant, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
Bernard Grant, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 14
Anne Grant, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1849 14
Barbara Grant, who arrived in America in 1850 14
Catherine Grant, who arrived in New York in 1854 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant migration to Canada +

Grant Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alex Grant, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
Donald Grant, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex Grant, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex Grant, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Christopher Grant, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Grant, aged 4, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Angus Grant, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Alex Grant, aged 4, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Alex Grant, aged 6, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Alex Grant, aged 9, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. John Grant, (1767 - 1790), aged 22, Welsh settler convicted at Monmouthshire, Wales in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. William Grant, (b. 1763), aged 26, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13

Second Fleet

Mr. George Grant, British settler convicted in Somerset, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Gilbert Grant, (1753 - 1813), aged 37, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. William Grant, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. William Grant, British settler convicted in Northumberland, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. William Grant, British settler convicted in Norfolk, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Grant Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Grant, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. William Grant, British Convict who was convicted in Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Alexander Grant, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. John Grant, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
Mr. Robert Grant, (b. 1796), aged 23, English sawyer who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1826 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant 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:

Grant Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Grant, (b. 1819), aged 20, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 19
William Grant, aged 20, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
W Grant, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
John Grant, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Alexander Grant, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20

Grant Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Alexander Grant, who arrived in Antigua (Antego) in 1748-1749 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Grant (post 1700) +

President Ulysses S Grant (1822-1885), General-in-chief of the Union Army during the American Civil War and 18th president of the United States of America
Mary Minkins Grant (1922-1999), née Coleman, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Bob Grant (1946-2024), American National Football League (NFL) linebacker for the Baltimore Colts (1968-1970) and Washington Redskins (1971)
Gary E. Grant (d. 2024), American trumpet player, composer and producer, and session musician who worked with Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton and many more
Milton Grant (1923-2007), American disc jockey and owner of television stations, host of the six-time-a-week The Milt Grant Show on WTTG, Washington's primary teen dance show
Harry Peter "Bud" Grant Jr. (1927-2023), American NFL football player and coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1957–1966) and the Minnesota Vikings (1967–1983; 1985)
Micki Grant (1929-2021), born Minnie Louise Perkins, an American singer (soprano), actress, writer, and composer who received three Tony award nominations for her writing
James Timothy "Mudcat" Grant (1935-2021), American baseball pitcher who played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (1958-1971)
John Boyd “Tiny” Grant (1933-2020), American college basketball coach for Fresno State and Colorado State
... (Another 179 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Grant family +

Dunbar

Mr. C. Grant, Australian seaman who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. John Grant, British Electrician from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
Mr. James Frederic Grant (1888-1914), Canadian Surgeon from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking 22
Mr. Edward Grant (d. 1914), British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Alex Grant, Canadian miner working in the town of Frank, Alberta who survived the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 22
... (Another 23 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grant Motto and War Cry +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Stand fast
War Cry: "Stand fast, Craig-ellachie" a well known rock.

Sources +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Calgary Herald news article retrieved 11th August 2021. Retrieved from https://smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Calgary_Herald_Thu__Apr_30__1903_-copy-scaled.jpg