Gremshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Gremshaw is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the hamlet of Grimshaw, now part of Eccleshill in Lancashire. The name is derived from "Grimshaw, some woody place in South Lancashire, called no doubt after its earliest possessor, Grim. The surname is very common in Lancashire and Yorkshire." 1

Early Origins of the Gremshaw family

The surname Gremshaw was first found in Lancashire where Richard de Grymeschagh, de Grymeschawe was listed in the 13th century and in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1284. Later, Henry de Grimeshagh was listed in Lancashire in 1400. 2

Adam de Grymeshawe was listed at Tottington, Lancashire, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign.) 1

Early History of the Gremshaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gremshaw research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1575, 1579, 1618, 1708, 1731, 1734 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Gremshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gremshaw Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Gremshaw has been spelled many different ways, including Grimshaw, Grimshawe, Grimshor, Grinshaw, Grimshore, Grinshore, Gremshaw, Grimshall, Grimeshaw, Grimsshaw, Grinshaw and many more.

Early Notables of the Gremshaw family

Notables of the family at this time include William Grimshaw (1708-1763), was "incumbent of Haworth, Yorkshire, was born at Brindle, Lancashire, on 3 Sept. 1708. He was educated at the grammar schools of Blackburn and Hesketh, and at the age of eighteen went to Christ's College, Cambridge. In 1731 he was ordained deacon, and became curate of Rochdale, but in the same year...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gremshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gremshaw family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Gremshaws to arrive in North America: William Grimshaw who was farming in Virginia in 1656 and another Grimshaw had established himself in Maryland a few years earlier in 1698; Judith Grimshaw settled in Georgia in 1737.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)