Girdlestone Family Crest and name history
One theory surrounding the name Girdlestone is explained in the following text given to me by my Down Under Cousin Wayne Girdlestone.
"The surname of Girdlestone is a name of location, "of Girdleston" some small place in County Somerset. It is almost certain that the original spelling of the name was Gridel, and it occurs frequently with this spelling in medieval documents.
The earliest of the name recorded appears to be Robert Gridel of County Somerset, who appears during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377).
Another source (don't have the source's name, sorry) says the following:
(Girdlestone) is a locational name of East anglian origins which derives from a now apparently "lost" hamlet near Holt in North Norfolk, England. The original spelling would seem to have been the "Girdel's Tun" an old English compound which translates as "The Farm of one called Gridel." The name generally retains the spelling as Girdle-stone, but there are occasional variant spellings shown such as Edmund Gurd-Leston, recorded at Field Dalling Church, Norfolk 1690-1694, and Elizabeth Girdleston who appears in the records of Sharrington in 1721. The name is early into London (with) Henry gurdelston marrying Joannah bushey at St. Dionis Backchurch in 1698, whilst Thomas girdlestone (1758-1822) was a practicing doctor in Great Yarmouth for 37 years and also an author and publisher of note.
My cousin Dennis tells me the following:
"This is a locational name of East Anglia origins which derives from a now apparently "lost" hamlet near Holt in North Norfolk. The original spelling would seem to have been 'Gridel's Tun," an Old English compound which translates as "The Farm of One Called Gridel." The name generally retains the spelling as Girdlestone, but there are occasional variant spellings whon such as Edmund Gurd-Leston recorded at Field Delling Church, Norfolk 1690-1694 and Elizabeth Girdleston who appears in the records of Sharrington in 1721. The name is early into London, Henry gurdleston marrying Joannah bushey at St. Dionis Back Church in 1698 whilst Thomas girdlestone (1758-1822)was a practicing doctor in Great yarmouth for 37 years, he was also an author and publicist of note. The first recorded spelling is shown to be that of a Richard Girdlestone dated 1 September 1571 who was married at kelling church, Norfolk during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" 1558-1603
Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. Inengland, this was known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" oftenleading to astonishing variants of the original spelling."
(Personally I have seen the named spelled Girdleston, Gurleston, Gigglestone, Grigglestone. It originally may have also been "Girlofstuna." )
Thomas Girdlestone was documented in County Somerset in the year 1400.
A locational name usually denoted where a man held his land an indicated where he actually lived. The original bearer would take his name from the village, town or area where he dwelt. This name would identify his whole family and follow them wherever they moved.
Following the Crusades in Europe, a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by those of noble blood who realized the prestige and practical advantage that it would add to their status.
A later instance of the name mentions Henry Gurdelstone and Joannah Busbey who were married at St. Dionis Backchurch, London, in 1698.
Hereditary surnames were originally imported from France into Englan during, and in the wake of, the Norman conquest of 1066.
In the two centuries or so after the Conquest, surnames were acquired by most families of note and by many landed families of lesser importance.
Most of the English and European populace at this time could neither read nor unite and had little knowledge of how their name should be spelt. Consequently record keeping suffered at the hands of the government and church officials whose job it was to interpret these spellings. The early town records are full of these mis-spelt names most of which have gradually evolved to the more conventional spellings by which we recognize them today.
The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burke's "General Armory."
At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which sserved a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the kinght fromhead to toe, the only means of identifcation for his followers was the insignia painted on his shield and the colorful crest worn on his helmet.
Arms: per pale gules and azure a griffin segreant argent on a fess dancettee or three crosses pattee of the first.
Crest: A griffin's head erased azure in the beak to warrows in saltire the pheons downward gold, gorged with a collar dancettee or thereon three crosses pattee gales."
Got that?
And another source calling itself the "Education Department" says
Another source which only gives credit to "The Education Department" says the following:
"The family of the Girdlestones came over to England at the time of the Norman Conquest that then bore the name of De Kirston and after many Anglofied alterations, dropped the "De" and so on became as English as it possibly could under the designation of the name of Girdlestone.
However it can be positively asserted that the family is descended from William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchestor School or College of the University of Oxford.
For in the year 1841 a brother of your father (whose father?) was sent to Wincehester College as the Founder's kin. Your Grandfather girdlestone at that late date being able to trace back his pedigree to the such descent and claim fro his son Edmund Girdlestone (your uncle)his right and priviledge as "FOUNDERS KIN" to be educated at the college free of expense or at any rate, at a nominal fee.
The said Uncle of yours died at Winchester college and upon a tablet (in the Chapel) raised to his memory the fact is recorded thereupon that he was a descendent of William of Wykeham and herewith I send you a Rollcall of Winchester School for the year 1841 in which your Uncle's name is enrolled with the initials "C.F." opposite his name showing that he was a foundation member of the college and that the authorities of the college were satisfied as to the proof of his descent from William of Wykeham.
There is another descent to which the family can easily take claim..
Viz: 6 To that of England's Greatest naval hero Admiral Lord Neilson, for your Grandmother girdlestone was his niece being the daughter of one of Neilson's sisters.
Few people are aware tht the great Lord Nelson had any connection with royalty. It is never-the-less a fact that his mother (maiden name Suckling) was descended fromLady Mary Bolyn as a sister of Henry VIII wife Anne Bolyn. These ladies were descendants of Henry III.
In this way there was just nineteen degrees of relationship Plantagnet King and the Hero of Trafalger
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