Grimstoom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Grimstoom is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Grimstoom family 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 Grimstoom 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 Grimstoom family

The surname Grimstoom 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 Grimstoom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grimstoom 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 Grimstoom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grimstoom Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Grimstoom are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Grimstoom include Grimston, Grimstone and others.

Early Notables of the Grimstoom 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 Grimstoom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Grimstoom family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Grimstoom, or a variant listed above: 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 Grimstoom 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.