Greenslate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Greenslate literally means "Dweller at the Green Valley [Old English gréne + slœd]." 1 2

Early Origins of the Greenslate family

The surname Greenslate was first found in Devon at Greenslade, a parish in North Tawton. 2

It is here that the first record of the family was found, that of 'Robertas de Greneslade tenet in Greneslade, Devon in the source Testa de Nevill sive Liber feodorum in Curia Scaccarii. Temp. Henry III & Edward I. 3

The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 4 where the name is conjecturally descended from the tenant of the lands of Greenslade, held by Rainer the Steward from overlord Baldwin the Sheriff.

Antony Greneslade was recorded in the Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I. 5

William Greneslade was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Devon in 1524 and later Thomas Greenslade was listed in Somerset in 1641. Later again, we found John Greenslade (Grinslade) in Devon in 1642. 2

"William Greenslade was mayor of Barnstaple in 1695, and Philip Greenslade was mayor in 1703 (G.). The name is now most numerous in Tiverton and South Molton, but is still scantily to be found in the Barnstaple district; there are also Greenslades in Somerset." 6

Early History of the Greenslate family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greenslate research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1641, 1642, 1843 and 1917 are included under the topic Early Greenslate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greenslate Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Greenslade, Grinslade, Greenslaid, Greenside and others.

Early Notables of the Greenslate family

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

Migration of the Greenslate family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands. Many of the family settled in Newfoundland after 1750..

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.