Gradden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Gradden surname was Mag Reachtain in Irish Gaelic.

Early Origins of the Gradden family

The surname Gradden was first found in Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Gradden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gradden research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1500 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Gradden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gradden Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Gradden include Gratton, Grattan, MacGrattan and others.

Early Notables of the Gradden family

More information is included under the topic Early Gradden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gradden family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Gradden to North America: John Gratton, who settled in New York in 1820 and Edward Gratton landed in Philadelphia in 1862; Mary Gratton settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1848.

The Gradden Motto +

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: Pro patria vivere et mori
Motto Translation: For my country, I live and die