Grealish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Grealish family

The surname Grealish was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Albert Greslet was listed as holding lands in Cheshire. 1

Robertus Greslatus was listed in Lancashire in 1127, Robert Greslet in the Pipe Rolls for Yorskhire in 1130, Robert Greilli in Bedfordshire from 1133-1160, and Alexander Grisle was listed in Winton, Hampshire in 1148. Albert

Gresley, Gresle was listed in Norfolk 1153-1168 and later in Lancashire in Pipe Rolls of 1182. Robert Gresle, de Gredlei was registered in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire 1196-1197 and Gredlei was listed in the same county in 1200. Robert Gresle, Grelle, de Grellay, Gredlegh was found in the Feet of Fines for Lancashire, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Oxfordshire in 1212. "Greasley and Gresley are also local in origin, from Greasley (Notts) and Gresley (Derby), pronounced Greasley." 2

There are two possible origins of the name. First, the name is derived from the Old French word "greslet" which roughly translates as "marked as by hail," or "pitted or pock-marked"; 2 and secondly it meant "dweller at the Grey Lea from the Old English grÅ“g + leáh (Middle English ley.)" 3

Two other sources note that the name is a local name that "probably [originated] in co. Rutland, as De Greley and De Greyley are found there in H.R. [(Hundredorum Rolls)]temp. Edw. I." 4

And the second source provides more details about the Hundredorum Rolls entries, specifically entries for Thomas de Greyley, Rutland, and Albricus de Greyleye, Rutland. Robert de Greyle from Cambridgeshire was also listed there. 5

Robert Greyleg, was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III. 6

Early History of the Grealish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grealish research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1198, 1204, 1271, 1273, 1295, 1614, 1634, 1637, 1654 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Grealish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grealish Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Greely, Greeley, Grailly, de Grailly, Greyle, Greelie and many more.

Early Notables of the Grealish family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Grayle or Graile (1614-1654), English Puritan minister, the son of John Grayle, priest, of Stone, Gloucestershire, where he...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grealish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grealish migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Grealish Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Martin Grealish, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" 7
Mary Grealish, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Lord Raglan" 7

Grealish migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Grealish Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Patrick Grealish, (b. 1833), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 8
Mr. Martin Grealish, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Himalaya" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1867 8
Mr. John Grealish, (b. 1837), aged 33, Irish farm labourer, from Galway travelling from London aboard the ship "Ramsey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 17th June 1870 9
Miss Mary Grealish, (b. 1845), aged 25, Irish dairy maid, from Galway travelling from London aboard the ship "Ramsey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 17th June 1870 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Grealish (post 1700) +

Anthony Patrick Grealish (1956-2013), English professional footballer who played as a midfielder from Paddington, London; he represented the Republic of Ireland at international level
Jack Grealish (b. 1995), English footballer from Birmingham
Tony Grealish (1956-2013), English professional footballer from London
Noel Grealish (b. 1965), Irish Independent politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency since the 2002 general election
Jack Grealish (b. 1997), Irish hurler who plays for Galway Senior Championship club Gort and at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
South Australian Register Friday February 7th, 1856. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord Raglan 1856. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/lordraglan1856.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html