Grantam History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Anglo-Saxon name Grantam comes from when the family resided in Grantham, a town located in the county of Lincolnshire. The name was derived from the Old English word grand which may have been derived from the personal name Granta and the Old English word ham meaning "homestead" 1 Early Origins of the Grantam familyThe surname Grantam was first found in Lincolnshire at Grantham, a market town within the South Kesteven district, which was first listed in the Domesday Book as Grantham. 2 3 The place name probably meant "homestead or village of a man called Granta" derived from the Old English personal name + ham. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old English word "grand" meaning "gravel" + ham. 4 One of the first records of the family was Thomas de Grantham who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Hertfordshire in 1220. 5 Early History of the Grantam familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grantam research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1328, 1544, 1573, 1589, 1604, 1612, 1629, 1630, 1634, 1640, 1641, 1655, 1692 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Grantam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Grantam Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Grantam include Grantham, Grantam, Grantem, Grantum, Granthem and others. Early Notables of the Grantam familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Sir Thomas Grantham (1573-1630), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1604 to 1629, matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford (1589); and his son, Thomas Grantham (1612-1655), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Lincoln for 1640, fought on the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War; and Sir Thomas Grantham (1641-1718), an English tobacco trader and naval officer, Commander of... Migration of the Grantam familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Grantham arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772; another John settled in New England in 1778; Peter Grantham settled in New York in 1807; James Grantham arrived in Philadelphia in 1851.
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: Honore et amore Motto Translation: With honour and love.
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