| Grantt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland Ireland Etymology of GranttWhat does the name Grantt mean? Despite claims to the contrary there is evidence that the surname claims descent from the Grants or Grands of Grand Court in St. Michel du Treport, and were the Counts of Eu. Recognizing that the Norman history does not necessarily conflict and remembering that the Normans were overrun by the Vikings in the 9th century the name Grant is still correctly interpreted as the Norman "Grand" meaning "Big" or Eminent." Grantt Coat of Arms CreationThe Grants have as their crest a burning mount, which is probably an imitation of the Beltane fires in the extensive Strathspey moor known as Sliabh Grianais, or plain of the sun. There are many Druidical remains here, and some think that the Grants got their name from the settlement here. Others derive it from the Gaelic grannda, meaning ugly, from an ancestor who was particularly ungainly. There is more reason to believe that it is derived from the French grand. The motto of the Clan is " Stand fast, Craig-ellachie, " a well known rock. As showing the power of the old slogan on members of the clan, a tale is related of its effect on a former President of the U.S.A., Ulysses S. Grant. During a presidential election he was making a tour through one of the doubtful States and was travelling on an observation car. His political friends were delivering addresses to crowds at the stations, as the President himself was no great speaker. At one station a Scotsman and an American citizen were talking of the grim, taciturn soldier, Grant, who, the American said, was devoid of human emotion. The Scotsman said, "I believe I can rouse him to show emotion and enthusiasm." A bet was laid. When the car with the President stopped, the Scotsman lifted his hat and shouted, "Stand fast, Craig-ellachie ." The effect was instantaneous. A glow suddenly appeared on the President's face; gone was the warrior's grimness, and, returning the salutation, he smilingly bowed his acknow-ledgement. The Scotsman then explained that the magic of his words lay in the fact that they were the war cry of Clan Grant. The bet was paid. 1 Early Origins of the Grantt familyThe surname Grantt was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles, and consisting of a large northern mainland area and various island areas off the west coast, the shire was anciently both a Pictish and Norwegian stronghold, where they held a family seat at Strathspey from very early times. The earliest records of the name were found in the county of Inverness (in the modern Highland and Western Isles regions). One of the first listings of the Grant family in Scotland is that of Thomas Grant, a merchant of the king of Scotland who was deposed from his position as visor of York Castle on January 2, 1252. Later Lawrence and Robert Grant were witnesses at Inverness in 1258. Sir Laurence Grant was sheriff of Inverness in 1266. John le Graunt was taken prisoner at Dunbar in 1297 and was held at Gloucester Castle. Maurice Grant was sheriff of Inverness in 1330. Richard le Grant (also known as Richard Grant) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1229 to 1231. 2 The motto "Stand Fast" evolved into a surname south of the Scottish border as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Thomas Stanfast, Oxfordshire. 3 In Norfolk, John Standfast, of Lynn, Norfolk was recorded there 3 Edward VI (during the third year of Edward VI's reign.) 4 Early History of the Grantt familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grantt research. Another 250 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1263, 1333, 1620, 1674, 1695 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Grantt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Grantt Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Grant, Grantt, Graunt, Grannd (Gaelic) and others. Early Notables of the Grantt familyAnother 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grantt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Grantt family to IrelandSome of the Grantt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Grantt familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Peter Grant who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1651.
Grantt Motto and War Cry | + |
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Stand fast War Cry: "Stand fast, Craig-ellachie" a well known rock.
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
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