Origin of the surname Greenhead

This long-established surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is primarily a locational name from any of the various places in northern England and Scotland named with the Olde English pre 7th Century "grene", green (a widespread first element in placenames), and "heafod", head, used in various transferred senses such as "headland, summit, upper end, promontory". These places include: Greenhead, an ecclesiastical district, north west of Haltwhistle, in Northumberland, recorded as "le Greneheued" in 1290; the hamlet of Greenhead in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and minor places thus called in the Chapel-en-le-Frith rural district of Derbyshire, and in the Auckland rural district of Durham.

The lands of Greenhead in the parish of Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, is the primary source of the Scottish surname, and to a lesser extent, Grenheid near Kelso in Roxburghshire. Locational surnames, such as this, were originally given to local landowners, and the lord of the manor, and especially as a means of identification to those who left their birthplace to settle elsewhere. Occasionally, Greenhead may have originated as a nickname for a hunter or forester who habitually wore a green hood as in Robert Grenehod (Suffolk, 1221). In 1423, one John Grenehed was noted in Wills Records of Norwich, and on March 13th 1588, Margaret, daughter of John Greenhead, was christened at Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de la Greneheued, which was dated 1290, in "A Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland", during the reign of Margaret of Norway, Ruler of Scotland, 1286 - 1290. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Greenhead. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname greenhead is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of greenhead. Research into the possible origins of greenhead leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname greenhead is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of greenhead.

The surname Greenhead around the world

It is common for surnames like greenhead to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that greenhead has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where greenhead is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname greenhead provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Greenhead

The historical journey of the surname greenhead can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of greenhead. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named greenhead are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname greenhead, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of greenhead developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname greenhead.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname greenhead, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of greenhead could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about greenhead and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Greenhead

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all greenheads who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname greenhead, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname greenhead were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname greenhead, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname greenhead who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Greenhead and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname greenhead. The bibliography collects information related to the surname greenhead, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of greenhead are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of greenhead.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of greenhead, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Greenhead