Grace History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Grace is generally thought to derive from the Old French word “grace,” which means “charm” or “pleasantness.” In some instances, it may have evolved from the Old French word “gros,” which means “great,” or “large.” In either instance, the name was a nickname which evolved into a surname.

Early Origins of the Grace family

The surname Grace was first found in Normandy where “Raymond Fitz-William de Carew, surnamed ‘ Crassus,’ ‘Le Gros,’ and ‘ Le Gras,’ accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in his celebrated expedition into Ireland in 1169, and he may be regarded ‘as the Achilles of the enterprise.’ He married Basilia de Clare, Strongbow’s sister, with whom he acquired an enormous estate in Killarney, subsequently known as ‘the Cantred of Grace’s country;’ for ‘his cognomen Gros, given him on account of his prowess, gradually became first Gras, and then by English pronunciation Grace.’ Many of the English families of this name deduce their descent from Ireland.” 1

“The Irish family of Grace appears to be a branch of the Fitzgeralds. For the Baronets Grace, see Gammon.” 2

“The Norman family of Grace has been prominent in Irish history since the first le Gros came to Ireland with Strongbow.” 3