Grannan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Grannan is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Norman given name Reginald or Regenweald, meaning brave councilor, which is an alteration of the Old French name Reinold. "Several tenants in chief in Domesday [Book] are called Rainaldus. Reynell, Reynard, Reynardson, Rennal." 1

"Its area of distribution is confined, for the most part, to the central part of England extending to the eastern counties between the Wash and the Thames. It is rare or absent in the south coast counties, excluding Cornwall, and excepting a scanty representation in Lancashire it does not occur north of a line drawn from the Humber to the Mersey. Shropshire, Norfolk, Wilts, and Cornwall are its principal homes." 2

Early Origins of the Grannan family

The surname Grannan was first found in Somerset where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Early records of the name mention Willemus filius Raunaldi who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Walter Reynolds (died 1327) was Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327), Lord High Treasurer and Lord Chancellor. 3

"The manor of Trebartha [in Cornwall] is said to have belonged to Walter Reynell, a knight of Gascony, so early as the reign of Richard I. at which time he was Castellan of Launceston." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Reynold, Cambridgeshire; Roger filius Reynald, Oxfordshire; and William filius Reynaud, Cambridgeshire. And the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Rainaldus filius Willelmi; and Ricardus Raynoldson. 5

Early History of the Grannan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grannan research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1194, 1198, 1313, 1327, 1544, 1549, 1588, 1589, 1594, 1599, 1607, 1612, 1624, 1625, 1636, 1655, 1657, 1663, 1676 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Grannan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grannan Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Reynell, Reynolds, Reynold, Reynalds, Reynell, Renaud, Renaut, Renouf, Rennard, Renals, Rennell, Rennels and many more.

Early Notables of the Grannan family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Walter Reynolds (d. 1327) the son of a Windsor baker, who became a favorite of King Edward II, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327); John Reynolds (c. 1588-c. 1655), an English merchant and writer from Exeter, produced a series of violent stories around marriage, adultery and murder as well as some political writings that caused him to be imprisoned.John Reynolds or Rainolds (1549-1607), was English president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and dean of Lincoln, born at Pinhoe, near Exeter. William Reinolds (c. 1544-1594), was an English Roman Catholic divine, second son of Richard Rainolds...
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grannan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Grannan family to Ireland

Some of the Grannan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grannan migration to Canada +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Grannan or a variant listed above:

Grannan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Judith Grannan, aged 13 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Flora Hastings" departing 11th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 26th June 1847 but she died on board 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Grannan (post 1700) +

Katy Grannan (b. 1969), American portrait photographer

The Grannan 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: Jus meum tuebor
Motto Translation: I will defend my right.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 78)