Grymlay is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Grymlay family lived in Worcestershire as Lords of the manor of Grimley.
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Early Origins of the Grymlay family
The surname Grymlay was first found in Worcestershire at Grimley, a village and civil parish now in the Malvern Hills District, originally in the union of Martley, Lower division of the hundred of Oswaldslow. An ancient Saxon stronghold, the first listing of the place name was in the 9th century when it was listed as Grimanleage. By the Domesday Book of 1086, the place name had evolved to Grimanleh and consisted of a mill and one half of a fishery of eels. 1 The place name literally means "wood or glade haunted by a spectre or goblin," from the Old English words "grima" + "leah." 2
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Early History of the Grymlay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grymlay research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early Grymlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Grymlay Spelling Variations
Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Grimley, Grimly, Grimleigh, Grimlie, Grymley and many more.
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Early Notables of the Grymlay family
More information is included under the topic Early Grymlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Grymlay family to Ireland
Some of the Grymlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Grymlay family
To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Grymlay or a variant listed above: Barnard Grimley settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1864; followed by Owen in 1875.
England
Ireland
