Contents [hide]

Grimes History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Grimes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Grimes

What does the name Grimes mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Grimes comes from the baptismal name for the son of Grimme. 1 "Grym, an ancient personal name, apparently Scandinavian." 2 The plural from with an "s" ending is most popular today.

Early Origins of the Grimes family

The surname Grimes was first found in Northumberland, where the forename Grim de Leuertone was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1175. It is one of the few names that can actually claim descent from the Domesday Book of 1086. There the family was listed in Latin as Grim, Grimus and Grimmus. 3

Godwin Grim was found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1170 and Bernard Grim was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Cheshire in 1183. Again in Cheshire, Alan Grime was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. William Grym was found in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1309 and Thomas Grym in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1332. 4

In Yorkshire, John Gryme was found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and John Gryme in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls also list: Alan Grime, Cambridgeshire; Robert Grim, Huntingdonshire; and Warin Grim, Cambridgeshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls also include: Johannes Gryme; Ricardas Gryme; and Willelmus Gryme. 1

Up in Scotland, the Grim variant is most popular but over the years the family was well established as early as the twelfth century. And it is here that the name may be a from of the name Graham. "Thomas Grym witnessed a confirmation by Patrick, Earl of Dunber. (no date) Cuthbert Grym was a pledge for Andro Fishar, 1488, and William Grime was burgess of Montrose, 1635. Sir James Grym was co-notary in Strathmiglo, 1541. Isobel Gryme is recorded in Montrose, 1641, and another Isobel Grim in Dundee, 1683. " 5

Early History of the Grimes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grimes research. Another 190 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1279, 1329, 1400, 1546, 1605, 1614, 1628, 1629, 1646, 1657, 1660, 1690, 1701 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Grimes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grimes 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 Grimes were recorded, including Grimes, Grimm, Grime, Grimme, Grimmes and others.

Early Notables of the Grimes family

Sir George Grimes (1605-1657), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Haslemere (1628-1629) supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War; Robert Graham or Grimes (died 1701), a Scott...

Grimes Ranking

the United States, the name Grimes is the 562^nd most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Grimes family to Ireland

Some of the Grimes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grimes 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 Grimes family emigrate to North America:

Grimes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Greorge Grimes, who landed in Virginia in 1622 8
Ann Grimes, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624 8
Samuel Grimes a "pewterer" who landed in Boston in 1635
Jon Grimes, who landed in Virginia in 1635 8
Walter Grimes, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grimes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Grimes, who settled in North Carolina in 1701
Archy Grimes, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 8
Archibald Grimes, who landed in Virginia in 1711 8
Isaac Grimes, who landed in Virginia in 1711 8
Constantine Grimes, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grimes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bernard Grimes, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1802
James Grimes, who landed in America in 1805 8
Henry Grimes, who landed in America in 1806 8
Guy Grimes, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1818 8
Thomas Grimes, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grimes migration to Canada +

Grimes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Grimes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Grimes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catherine Grimes, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1816
Catherine Grimes, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Patrick Grimes, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
Sarah Grimes, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
Patrick Grimes, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grimes migration to Australia +

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

Second Fleet

Mr. John Grimes, British settler convicted in Middlesex, 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 7
Mr. Charles Grimes, (1772 - 1858), aged 18, British surveyor and support staff from Buckinghamshire, England, transported aboard the ship "HMS Gorgon" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Grimes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Grimes, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. John Grimes, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. James Grimes, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 2nd May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Thomas Grimes, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 27 September 1834, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. James Grimes, (b. 1822), aged 15, British labourer who was convicted in London, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Frances Charlotte" on 7th December 1836, arriving in Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Grimes 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:

Grimes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Grimes, (b. 1809), aged 38, Irish settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 14
Mrs. Mary Grimes Née Moore, (b. 1818), aged 29, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 14
Miss Maria Grimes, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847, she died in hospital after arriving 14
Child Grimes, Irish settler born aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847, died on board 14
Miss Catherine Grimes, (b. 1845), aged 20, British dairywoman travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Grimes (post 1700) +

Sandra Joyce Grimes (1945-2025), née Venable, an American intelligence agent, CIA officer who uncovered the actions of Aldrich Ames, a United States counterintelligence officer who was convicted of spying for the Soviet Union
Kathryn Eileen Grimes (b. 2006), American competitive swimmer, silver medal winner at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, she competed at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics
Howard Lee Grimes (1941-2022), American drummer, best known as a member of the Hi Rhythm Section
Jane Brown Grimes (1941-2021), American President of the United States Tennis Association from 2007 to 2008, the second female president in USTA history, inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014
Stephen Henry "Steve" Grimes (1927-2021), American lawyer and jurist who served as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 1987 to 1996, including as Chief Justice from 1994 until 1996
Henry Grimes (1935-2020), American jazz double bassist, violinist, and poet; he died from COVID-19
Alison C. Lundergan Grimes, American Democratic Party politician, Member, Rules Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2008
Tammy Lee Grimes (1934-2016), American two-time Tony award winning actress and singer who starred in her own ABC television series, The Tammy Grimes Show in 1966, inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame
Oscar Ray Grimes Sr. (1893-1953), American Major League Baseball first baseman
... (Another 51 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Grimes family +

SS Atlantic

Fisk Grimes, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
David Elimer Grimes, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 16
James Francis Grimes, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 17

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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/
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)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/captain-cook
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew