Greson is one of the proud Scottish names to come from the Strathclyde clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is derived from
Grier, a pet form of the given name
Gregory, which means
watchful.Early Origins of the Greson family
The surname Greson was first found in
Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on
England that today forms part of the Dumfries and
Galloway Council Area, where they held a
family seat from very ancient times.
Early History of the Greson family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greson research.
Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1411, 1547, 1590, 1564, 1657, 1733, 1677, 1760, 1709 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Greson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Greson Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few
hundred years that rules have developed and the process of spelling according to sound has been abandoned. Scottish names from before that time tend to appear under many different
spelling variations. Greson has been spelled Grierson, Greson, Greyson, Grayson, Greirson and others.
Early Notables of the Greson family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the family at this time was John Grierson or Grisson (died 1564?), a Scottish Dominican who is believed to have been from the family of Grierson of Lag in Dumfriesshire; Sir Robert...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Greson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Greson family to Ireland
Some of the Greson family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in
Ireland is included in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Greson family to the New World and Oceana
Unwelcome in their beloved homeland, many Scots sailed for the colonies of North America. There, they found land and freedom, and even the opportunity to make a new nation in the American
War of Independence. These Scottish settlers played essential roles in the founding of the United States, and the shaping of contemporary North America. Among them: William Grayson who settled in Wilmington N.C. in 1804; James Grierson settled in New Jersey in 1685; John and Jane Grierson settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1774..
The Greson 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: Hoc securior
Motto Translation: Safer by this.