Show ContentsGrimshal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Grimshal come from when the family resided 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 Grimshal family

The surname Grimshal 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 Grimshal family

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

Grimshal Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Grimshal has been recorded under many different variations, including Grimshaw, Grimshawe, Grimshor, Grinshaw, Grimshore, Grinshore, Gremshaw, Grimshall, Grimeshaw, Grimsshaw, Grinshaw and many more.

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

Migration of the Grimshal family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Grimshal or a variant listed above: 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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