Grimstolm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Grimstolm family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Grymstone, Yorkshire. Grimston, however, is a fairly common place-name in England, so a given individual case may come from any of several places so named. The distinguished name Grimstolm is derived from the general case of the Old Norman personal name Grimr, and the Old English tun, which means settlement or town. 1

Early Origins of the Grimstolm family

The surname Grimstolm was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire where "Sylvester de Grimston, 'Standard-bearer and Chamberlain to William I.,' of Grimston, in the parish of Garton, is claimed as the ancestor of this venerable Norman family, who have ever since the period of the Conquest resided at the place from whence the name is derived." 2

"The family of Grimston have been seated [at Garton] since the time of William I., when their ancestor Sylvester de Grimston had a grant of land from the king to be held of the honour of Roos. The church is a good structure, with a low tower; adjoining it on the north, is a mausoleum belonging to the Grimston family." 3

"Several places bear this designation [Grimston], four of them in Yorkshire, the ancient and present abode of the family." 4

Early History of the Grimstolm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grimstolm research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1508, 1569, 1600, 1603, 1611, 1626, 1629, 1640, 1643, 1648, 1656, 1660, 1683, 1685, 1700, 1756 and 1952 are included under the topic Early Grimstolm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grimstolm Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Grimston, Grimstone and others.

Early Notables of the Grimstolm family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Grimston (ca. 1508-1600), of Rishangles, Suffolk, an English politician and Comptroller of Calais; Sir Harbottle Grimston, 1st Baronet (c. 1569-1648) an English politician, Member of Parliament for Essex (1626-1629); and his son, Sir Harbottle Grimston, 2nd Baronet (1603-1685), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Colchester (1640-1648) and (1660-1685) and Essex (1656); and his son, Sir Samuel Grimston, 3rd Baronet (1643-1700), an English politician, the second and only...
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grimstolm Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Grimstolm family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Grimstolm or a variant listed above were: Anthony Grimston who settled in Virginia in 1635; Samuel Grimstone settled in Maryland in 1737; Thomas Grimstone settled in Virginia in 1654; John Grimstone arrived in Philadelphia in 1853..

The Grimstolm 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: Faitz proverount
Motto Translation: Deeds will prove.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.