Show ContentsGradley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name is derived from the Old French "greslet," which meant "pitted" or "pock-marked."

Early Origins of the Gradley family

The surname Gradley was first found in the area that has since become the country of Lancashire. In 1069 King William gave his kinsman, Roger de Pictou, the land between the rivers Mersey and Ribble, who in turn shared land with his kinsman Albert de Greslet. Records during the reign of King John (1199-1216) show that some of this land belonged to Albert de Greslet. The latter was also known as Albert Grelley; he became the first Baron of Manchester, and the Grelley family held the manor for the next 200 years. A Robert Greslet is on record in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire of 1130; Peter de Gresley was patron of the rectory of Manchester in 1276. Some of the family were later found at Worthington in Lancashire. "This place, anciently called Worthinton, was allotted, soon after the Domesday Survey, to Albert Greslet. A family of the local name were resident at the Hall in 1588." [1]

Early History of the Gradley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gradley research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1347, 1542, 1777 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Gradley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gradley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gradwell, Gredwell, Gradwel, Greile, Greslet, Grelle, Gressy, Greslé, Grille, Grylle, Grelly, Grelley, Greslai, Gredle, Gredley, Gradley, Gredlai, Greidley, Gresley, Greddle Gradell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gradley family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gradley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gradley family to Ireland

Some of the Gradley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Gradley migration to Australia +

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

Gradley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Gradley, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [2]


The Gradley 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: Nil desperandum
Motto Translation: Never despair.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster


Houseofnames.com on Facebook