Graces History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

Etymology of Graces

What does the name Graces mean?

The surname Graces is generally thought to derive from the Old French word "grace," which means "charm" or "pleasantness." In some instances, it may have evolved from the Old French word "gros," which means "great," or "large." In either instance, the name was a nickname which evolved into a surname.

Early Origins of the Graces family

The surname Graces was first found in Buckinghamshire where they were descended from a Norman knight from Le Gras in Normandy, who arrived in England with the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. 1

Early records show William le Gras in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1199, and in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire of 1219. Roger le Gas was on record in the Curia Regis Rolls for Staffordshire of 1200. William atte Grase was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset of 1327. 2

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. had two early listings for the family: Ascelin le Gras, Norfolk, and Roger Grassus, Lincolnshire. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Roger le Gras, Wiltshire; Alan le Gras, Yorkshire; and Hugh le Gras, Lincolnshire. 4

William atte Grase, was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward I's reign.) 5

Early History of the Graces family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Graces research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1548, 1574, 1690 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Graces History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Graces Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Grace, Grase, Gras, Grass, Grasse and others.

Early Notables of the Graces family

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

Migration of the Graces family to Ireland

Some of the Graces 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.

Migration of the Graces family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: George Grace, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; Henry Grace, who settled in Maryland in 1652; Isabell Grace, who settled in Virginia in 1653; John Grace, who settled in Maryland in 1665.

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.