Graunge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the bearers of the Graunge family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in a Grange which were farms that belonged to the old abbeys. These farms were attended by monks who carried out their agricultural activities, and where the grain and cattle were held. The name was derived from the Middle English and Old French word grange which meant "granary" or "barn." 1

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae notes that William de Grandeis of Normandy 1198 held lands there at that time, so the name could have originated in Normandy too. 2

Early Origins of the Graunge family

The surname Graunge was first found in Essex where William de la Graunge was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. A few years later, Laurence atte Grange was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes attes Prious, et Alicia uxor ejus, fermour del graunge; Johannes del Grange; Simon del Graunge; Alicia del Graunge; and Gregorius del Grange. 4

Early History of the Graunge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Graunge research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1568 and 1577 are included under the topic Early Graunge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Graunge Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Graunge include Grange, Grainge, Greinge, Graynge and others.

Early Notables of the Graunge family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Graunge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Graunge family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Graunge or a variant listed above: Stephen Grange settled in Virginia in 1775; John Grange settled in Virginia in 1635; William Grange settled in Barbados in 1654; William Grange arrived in Pennsylvania in 1847.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)