Show ContentsGrenshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Grenshaw

What does the name Grenshaw mean?

The name Grenshaw is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family 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 Grenshaw family

The surname Grenshaw 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 Grenshaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grenshaw 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 Grenshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grenshaw 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 Grenshaw were recorded, including Grimshaw, Grimshawe, Grimshor, Grinshaw, Grimshore, Grinshore, Gremshaw, Grimshall, Grimeshaw, Grimsshaw, Grinshaw and many more.

Early Notables of the Grenshaw 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 Grenshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Grenshaw family

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 Grenshaw family emigrate to 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.



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


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