Show ContentsGrinstead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Grinstead Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Grinstead

What does the name Grinstead mean?

The ancient surname Grinstead dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it is recorded as Gremestede, 1 having derived from the Old English "grene" + "ham-stede." 2 Today named East and West Grimstead, both are found in the union and hundred of Alderbury, Salisbury and Amesbury in Wiltshire, England. 3

"The ancient manor-house is still remaining, though much mutilated, and retaining little of its original character. The church is a very ancient structure of flint, with quoins of freestone, and has details of the Norman, and early and decorated English styles." 3

East and West Grinsted in Sussex are other possible origin points for the family. 4 While these place names are phonetically similar to Grimstead, they have different origins, specifically meaning "green place," from the Old English "grene" + "stede." plus the "west" or "east" prefix. 2 West Grinsted is older of the two, dating back to the Domesday Book where it was recorded as Grenestede. 1

Early Origins of the Grinstead family

The surname Grinstead was first found in Sussex, England where William de Grenested was listed in the Pipe Roles of 1230. Later William de Grinstede was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 4

Early History of the Grinstead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grinstead research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1630 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Grinstead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grinstead Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Grimstead, Grimsteed, Grimsted, Grimstede, Grinstead, Grinsted and many more.

Early Notables of the Grinstead family

  • Elizabeth Key Grinstead (ca 1630 - ca 1665), the first woman of African ancestry in the North American colonies to sue for her freedom from slavery and win

Grinstead Ranking

the United States, the name Grinstead is the 12,615th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5



Grinstead Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Albina Grinstead, aged 22, who settled in America from Barnet, in 1892
Grinstead Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • W. F. Grinstead, who landed in America, in 1903
  • James Grinstead, aged 33, who settled in America from Horsham, in 1905
  • Alice Grinstead, aged 41, who immigrated to the United States from Sevenoaks, in 1906
  • Irene Grinstead, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Philip W. Grinstead, aged 42, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Grinstead (post 1700) +

  • Irish Grinstead (1980-2023), former member of the 702 group American girl group which featured the Grinstead sisters
  • R. E. Grinstead, American politician, Member of Nebraska State House of Representatives, 1883 6
  • Minnie J. Grinstead (1869-1925), American Republican politician, Member of Kansas State House of Representatives, 1919-24; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1920 (alternate), 1924; Seward County Probate Judge, 1925 7
  • James Fontleroy Grinstead (1845-1921), American Republican politician, Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, 1907-09; Jefferson County Commissioner, 1917-21 7
  • Durward Grinstead, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Dresden, 1926; Hamburg, 1929 7
  • James Fontleroy Grinstead (1845-1921), American politician nicknamed "Honest Jim", Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky from 1907 to 1909
  • Charles Walder Grinstead (1860-1930), English champion tennis player
  • Eric Douglas Grinstead (b. 1921), New Zealand sinologist and Tangutologist
  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, July 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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