Green History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Green

What does the name Green mean?

The name Green is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in the village greene which was the center or main square of each region. It is derived from the Old English "grene," meaning "green," and was most likely first borne by a family who lived in the village greene, the center or main square of a region. Alternatively, it may have been bestowed as a nickname on someone who was particularly fond of dressing in green. 1

Early Origins of the Green family

The surname Green was first found in Kent, where the earliest record of the name was Geoffrey Greene who was recorded in a Poll Tax in 1188. As every early English village had a green, the surname Green emerged independently in many different places during the Middle Ages, thus creating several early branches of the Green family. Richard de la Grene was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1200 and Geoffrey Attegrene was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1206. 2 The prefix "atte" was a popular namesake which meant in this case "at the green." 1

Years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Deonisia ate Grene and Warin de la Grene; while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Petnis del Grene and Adam del Grene, as holding lands there at that time. 3

Records in Scotland were very scarce, but we did find "Roger del ('of the') Grene in Roxburghshire [who] rendered homage in 1296 [to King Edward I of England]. Master John Grene, [was] Chancellor of Moray, 1463." 4

Early History of the Green family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Green research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1461, 1462, 1506, 1558, 1592, 1614, 1620, 1630, 1636, 1679, 1685, 1690, 1700, 1702, 1705, 1708 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Green History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Green Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Green were recorded, including Greene, Green, Grene, Grean and others.

Early Notables of the Green family

Sir Thomas de Green (c.1461-1506), Lord of Greens Norton, received Boughton, Greens Norton, and large monetary grants through his inheritance upon the death of his father in 1462
Dr. John Green, the Bishop of Lincoln
Sir William Greene of Oxford, Alderman Greene of Chester
Robert Greene (1558-1592), English dramatist
John Henry Green (1636-1685), an English physician and philanthropist from London
John Greene Jr. (1620-1708), English-born, American deputy governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1690-1700)
Samuel Green (c.1614-1702), English immigrant to America with John Winthrop in 1630 to become an American printer and progenitor of the Green family of printers
on the infamous side Thomas Green (1679-1705), an English sailor and alleged pirate

Green World Ranking

the United States, the name Green is the 35^th most popular surname with an estimated 455,121 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Green is ranked the 75^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,252 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Green is the 34^th popular surname with an estimated 618 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Green as 39^th with 45,340 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Green as 59^th with 5,037 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Green as 19^th with 120,596 people. 10 South Africa ranks Green as 470^th with 15,171 people. 11

Migration of the Green family to Ireland

Some of the Green family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Green migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Green family emigrate to North America:

Green Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Bartholomew Green, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Griffin", bound for Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1633 13
Mrs. Elizabeth Green, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Griffin", bound for Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1633 14
Mr. Nathaniel Green, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Griffin", bound for Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1633 14
Sarah Green, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Griffin", bound for Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1633 14
Phebe Green, who arrived in Boston aboard the ship "Griffin", bound for Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1633 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jane Green, who landed in Virginia in 1703 13
Phillis Green, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 13
Lawrence Green, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 13
Sarah Green, who landed in Virginia in 1717 13
Patrick Green, who landed in Rutland, Massachusetts in 1741 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joachim Green, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1801 13
Sally Green, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 13
Mary Green, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1812 13
Mathew Green, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1812 13
James Chls Green, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green migration to Canada +

Green Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Benjamin Green, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Ann Green, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Cuff Green, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
Mr. John Green U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 15
Mr. John Green U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Henry Green, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1810
John Green, aged 21, Scottish settler who arrived in Red River Settlement, Canada in 1811 13
Reginald Green, aged 31, who landed in Canada in 1815
Katharine Green, aged 22, who arrived in Canada in 1823
Rose Green, aged 24, who landed in Canada in 1823
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. James Green, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for , transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12

Second Fleet

Mr. William Green, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Thomas Green, British settler convicted in Worcestershire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Thomas Green, British settler convicted in Northamptonshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. John Green, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Berkshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Luke Green, British settler convicted in Derbyshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13

Third Fleet

Mr. John Green, (b. 1725), aged 62, English convicted in Abingdon, Oxfordshire on 11th July 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787, died before they set sail 13
Miss Hannah Green, (b. 1756), aged 31, English settler convicted in London on 10th September 1783, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 13
Miss Mary Green, English settler convicted in London on 18th April 1787, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Miss Ann Green, (b. 1758), aged 29, English settler convicted in London on 13th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Green Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Green, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Green, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. William Green, (b. 1774), aged 23, English carpenter who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Ann Green, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17

Green Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Dennis Green, (b. 1782), aged 18, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1855 18
Mr. Thomas Green, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. John Green, (Lawrence, Robert), British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. Thomas Green, (b. 1785), aged 18, British convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1812 19
Mr. John Green, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Green 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:

Green Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Andrew Green, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1840
Elizabeth Green, aged 22, a sempstress, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Coromandel" in 1840
Henry Green, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Isaac Green, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Green, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Green (post 1700) +

Lamont Green (1976-2025), American professional football player, briefly played as a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (1999), assigned to the NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder before retiring due to injuries, played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning all-conference honors in 1998
Arthur "Art" Green (1941-2025), American painter, one of the original Hairy Who members from Chicago, a group of students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago exhibited together in the 1960s and 1970s, member of the University of Waterloo's faculty for over 30 years, style of his paintings mixes pop-art motifs with surrealist tendencies
Vernice "Bunky" Green Jr (1933-2025), American jazz alto saxophonist and educator (c. 1940s-1980s)
Alice Green (1940-2024), American activist and prison reform advocate, living in Albany, New York
Lewis Warner Green (1806-1863), American Presbyterian minister, educator, and academic administrator, 9th President of Hampden-Sydney College, Transylvania University (1849-1856)
Michael L. Green (1948-2024), American Republican politician, Member of the Michigan Senate (2011-2019), Member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1995-2000)
Dr. Rose Basile Green (1914-2003), American scholar, poet, and educator
Lyda N. Green (1938-2023), American educator and Republican politician, Member of the Alaska Senate (1995-2009)
John Michael "Jumpin' Johnny" Green (1933-2023), American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association
... (Another 72 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Green family +

Cataraqui

William Green (b. 1820), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Mr. H. Green, Australian quarter master who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. James Green, Australian commander who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. Frederick George Green, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
Miss Jessie Green (1893-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
... (Another 54 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Green 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: Virtus semper viridis
Motto Translation: Virtue is always flourishing.

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html