Grayden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Early Origins of the Grayden family

The surname Grayden was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where they held a family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient but turbulent no-man's land where the persecuted Many were given land by King Malcolm Canmore and later by King David of Scotland. Some were native Scots. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. The name was first recorded in Scotland in the lands of Graden near Coldstream.

Early History of the Grayden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grayden research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1288, 1296, 1650, 1704 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Grayden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grayden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Graden, Graiden, Graidin, Grayden, Greyden and others.

Early Notables of the Grayden family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Grayden of Berwick

Migration of the Grayden family to Ireland

Some of the Grayden family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grayden 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:

Grayden Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Grayden, aged 34, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
Bridget Grayden, aged 27, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
Peter Grayden, aged 6, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
James Grayden, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874

The Grayden 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: Ad escam et usum
Motto Translation: For food and use.