Show ContentsGreslet 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 Greslet family

The surname Greslet 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 Greslet family

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

Greslet 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 Greslet family

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

Ireland Migration of the Greslet family to Ireland

Some of the Greslet 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.

Migration of the Greslet family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Elizabeth Gradwell, who came to Maryland in 1667; Jacob Gradwell, who was on record in South Carolina in 1699; Philip Gradwell, who came to Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1765.



The Greslet 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.


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