Show ContentsGreenlawe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Greenlawe

What does the name Greenlawe mean?

The Scottish surname Greenlawe 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." 1 2

Early Origins of the Greenlawe family

The surname Greenlawe was first found in Berwickshire. 3

"[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." 4

"This is the name of an old family in Berwickshire, derived from their lands there. They may have been an offshoot from the Dunbars. William de Grenlawa, c. 1180. An agreement between the abbot of Kelso and Roland de Grenelawe regarding the chapel was made c. 1200. Magister William de Grenlau, a churchman, witnessed a charter by Walter, bishop of Glasgow, c. 1208-18, and in 1221 was one of a number appointed to settle a dispute between the churches of Glasgow and Kelso, and c. 1221-31 witnessed the grant of the church of Lympetlaw to Kelso Abbey. In 1233 he witnessed resignation of the lands of Eduluestun to the church of Glasgow. William of Greenlaw, son of Roland, son of William, witnessed Melrose documents of 1236-37, and held lands in Hawington of Robert de Muschamp, part of which he gave to Melrose Abbey before 1247, in which year he died." 5

Early History of the Greenlawe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greenlawe research. Another 302 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1306, 1327, 1354, 1361, 1386, 1421, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1439, 1452, 1503, 1574, 1689, 1696, 1729, 1820 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Greenlawe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greenlawe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Greenlees, Greenleaf, Greenleas, Greenles and others.

Early Notables of the Greenlawe family

More information is included under the topic Early Greenlawe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Greenlawe family

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 Greenlawe 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.


  1. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. 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)


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