The Scottish surname Greanlay is a habitational name taken on one of the places named Greenlees, in
Lanarkshire. The place name comes from the Scots words "gre-ne" meaning "green," and "ley(s)," meaning a "a meadow."
Early Origins of the Greanlay family
The surname Greanlay was first found in
Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of
Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North
Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.
"[Greenlaw, Berwickshire] is supposed to have derived its name from the situation of the ancient village on one of those conical eminences of which there are several in the parish, which eminence, from its superior verdure, obtained the appellation of the Green Law." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Greanlay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greanlay research.
Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1574, 1689, 1729, 1820, 1696, 1354 and 1421 are included under the topic Early Greanlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Greanlay Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Greenlees, Greenleaf, Greenleas, Greenles and others.
Early Notables of the Greanlay family (pre 1700)
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Greanlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Greanlay family to Ireland
Some of the Greanlay family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 166 words (12 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 Greanlay family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edmund Greenleas who settled in New
England in 1630; Robert settled in Virginia in 1633; Enoch Greenleafe settled in Virginia in 1693; Robert Greenleafe settled in Virginia in 1610, 10 years before the ".
The Greanlay 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: Viresco
Motto Translation: I flourish.