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Welcome

Welcome to the Grindlay Single Name Study Project. The aim of this project is to collate and document the application of the name Grindlay and subsequent variants throughout the world.

18th Century Plate of Full Heraldic Achievement of Grindlay

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The database is compiled from primary and secondary sources and is an on-going project maintained and co-ordinated by the volunteer Project Administrator.  The Project Administrator is taking a much-deserved break!

Origin: Anglo-Saxon; the surname Grindlay comes from the Old English words ‘grene’ and ‘leah’ which meant both the colour green and a section of village land that was open to free grazing. The term ‘grene’ was also applied to the young denoting youth and vigour.

Grindlay is pronounced: Grind ‘lay’

Grindley is pronounced Grind ‘lee’

The spelling of Grindlay with a ‘lay’ ending appears frequently in Scottish records, although it can also be found in English records.  Grindley spelt with a ‘ley’ ending appears frequently in English and Welsh records.  Often the same family can be found with both variants across several documents.  For this reason, the project has adopted the ‘lay’ spelling for the purpose of convenience. Individuals appearing in the single name study database, who have at some point been listed under an alternative spelling, have the spelling variations listed in brackets.

Coat of Arms

19th Century Coat of Arms associated with the English branch

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GRINDLAY

Coat of Arms: A blue shield with a gold cross between four gold arrow heads. Blue denotes truth and loyalty; gold implies generosity and a superior intellect; arrows speak of a readiness for battle; while a gold cross signifies faith.

Motto: Non Degener

Motto Translated: Literally the motto reads ‘Not Degenerate’. Degener is derived from the Latin term degenero which infers disgrace by degeneracy. Thus non degener indicates that a Grindlay is honourable, moral and true to his or her own kind. Grindlays are not corrupted by vice or decadence and as such do not fall from grace.

Crest: a peahen (peacock) for Grindlay or a red buffalo head for Grindley

Newspaper & Magazine Articles

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A. B. Grindlay, The London Gazette, 09 February 1917
Alexander Brown Grindlay, The London Gazette, 01 June 1909
Alexander Brown Grindlay, The London Gazette, 04 October 1910
Alice Maud Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 21 June 1918
Cadet Alexander Brown Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 27 November 1916
Charles Grindlay, The Edinburgh Advertiser, 20 September 1793
Lt. E. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 19 September 1917
Lt. E. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 11 May 1918
Lt. E. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 20 February 1919
Lt. E. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 09 July 1919
Lt. Spec. Res. E. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 30 October 1919
Edward Grindlay, The London Gazette, 17 April 1903
Edward Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 01 July 1915
Grindlay & Co., Supplement to The London Gazette, 17 February 1900
Grindlay & Co., Supplement to The London Gazette, 22 February 1906
Grindlay & Co., Supplement to The London Gazette, 23 February 1912
Lt. H. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 30 April 1919
Lce. Serj. Henry Grindlay, The London Gazette, 28 July 1916
John Grindlay, The Edinburgh Advertiser, 5th November 1779
John Grindley, The Times, 17 March 1830
Richard Grindlay, The Advertiser, 22 March 1796
Robert Grindlay, The London Gazette, 30 July 1901
Capt. Robert Melville Grindlay, The Times, 04 May 1830
Capt. Robert Melville Grindlay, The Times, 23 March 1831
W. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 18 June 1918
Lt. W. G. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 9 July 1918
Lt. W. G. Grindlay, Supplement to The London Gazette, 13 May 1919
William G. Grindlay, The London Gazette, 28 March 1916