Grimstoomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Grimstoomb reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Grimstoomb family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Grimstoomb 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 Grimstoomb 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 Grimstoomb family

The surname Grimstoomb 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 Grimstoomb family

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

Grimstoomb Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Grimston, Grimstone and others.

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

Migration of the Grimstoomb family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Grimstoomb name or one of its variants: 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 Grimstoomb 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.