Show ContentsGrinsted History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England
Grinsted Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Grinsted

What does the name Grinsted mean?

The ancient surname Grinsted 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 Grinsted family

The surname Grinsted 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 Grinsted family

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

Grinsted Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Grinsted family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grinsted Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grinsted migration to the United States +



Grinsted Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Grinsted, who was naturalized in Illinois in 1844
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. S. Cyril Grinsted, American 3rd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 5
  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. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/

Houseofnames.com on Facebook