Show ContentsGrint History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The forbears of the name Grint are thought to be of the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The name indicates that the first bearer lived on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. The name is derived from Gaelic Mac Crain. [1]

Early Origins of the Grint family

The surname Grint was first found in the islands of Jura and Islay, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Grint family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grint research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1649, 1856 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Grint History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grint Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Grint has been spelled MacCraney, Craney, Crainey, MacCrain, McCranie, MacCranny, MacCranne, MacCranney, MacCrayne and many more.

Early Notables of the Grint family

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

Ireland Migration of the Grint family to Ireland

Some of the Grint family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Grint migration to the United States +

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Grint were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:

Grint Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Bened Grint, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 [2]
Grint Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Grint, aged 21, originally from England, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Gallia" from Liverpool, England [3]
  • A.P. Grint, aged 43, who arrived in New York in 1896 aboard the ship "Manitoba" from London, England [3]
Grint Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Grint, aged 58, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Caronia" from Liverpool, England [3]
  • Hilda Mary Grint, aged 34, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Olympic" from Southampton, England [3]

New Zealand Grint migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Grint Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Annie Grint, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edwin Fox" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Grint (post 1700) +

  • Rupert Alexander Lloyd Grint (b. 1988), English actor, best known for hos role as Ron Weasley, in the Harry Potter film series


The Grint 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: Amor proximi
Motto Translation: The love of our neighbor.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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