When I first found the name Grizel in an ancestor's record I pondered why anyone would name their child after the tough inedible part of meat (gristle). I just couldn't imagine why a parent would name their new baby girl after such a yucky thing. Next I wondered if the child was particularly whiny, and named after the grizzly noises they made. I then thought maybe the child was born with hair the colour of 'salt & pepper', and it was a spelling variation of grizzled.
When I found several named Grizel in the records I was searching I realized there must be something more to this name.
The name Grizel is:
"Scottish and English variant of Griselda, from Old German,
possibly meaning "grey battle-maiden". "
1
possibly meaning "grey battle-maiden". "
1
What I found interesting is that all of the Grizels I found were known as Grace.
The name Grace invokes far more attractive visuals that the name Grizel did for me.
I love the name Grace. I also love the word Grace. It's a part of my everyday language. I frequently comment that I am grateful the people that care about me give me grace. I am not perfect, and the grace offered by those around me assists me in living life authentically.
The name Grace invokes far more attractive visuals that the name Grizel did for me.
I love the name Grace. I also love the word Grace. It's a part of my everyday language. I frequently comment that I am grateful the people that care about me give me grace. I am not perfect, and the grace offered by those around me assists me in living life authentically.
GRACE & GRATITUDE walk hand in hand.
Now back to the name:
"Grizel / Grizelda / Griselda
This name is thought to have been derived from the Old German
"grisja" (grey) and "hild" (battle). The 14th century author Boccaccio
wrote a story about Patient Griselda in the Decameron and the English
author Chaucer wrote a version of this in "The Clerk's Tale" which
popularised the name and associated it with patience. Grizel became a
popular form in Scotland though there were many variations -
Grizzel, Girsel, Girzel and Goirzel. It was used by both the nobility and
commoners - one well known bearer of the name was
Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746), daughter of a Covenanter,
the 1st Earl of Marchmont. She wrote a number of Scots songs and her
"Household Book" was reprinted by the Scottish History Society in 1911.
In Scotland, Grizel sometimes became Grace
and a diminutive form was Zelda." 1
"grisja" (grey) and "hild" (battle). The 14th century author Boccaccio
wrote a story about Patient Griselda in the Decameron and the English
author Chaucer wrote a version of this in "The Clerk's Tale" which
popularised the name and associated it with patience. Grizel became a
popular form in Scotland though there were many variations -
Grizzel, Girsel, Girzel and Goirzel. It was used by both the nobility and
commoners - one well known bearer of the name was
Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746), daughter of a Covenanter,
the 1st Earl of Marchmont. She wrote a number of Scots songs and her
"Household Book" was reprinted by the Scottish History Society in 1911.
In Scotland, Grizel sometimes became Grace
and a diminutive form was Zelda." 1
and
"Grace
The name Grace came originally from the Latin "gratia" meaning
"grace" or "favour". It was not found often in Britain or Scotland until the
Puritans took it up in the 17th century, prompted by their phrase
"by the grace of God". The Puritans took the name to North America.
In Scotland it became quite popular in the 19th century but in a
number of cases it was derived from another popular name, Grizel, which
became "gris" and "Grace" (see also below). The name was given a boost
as a result of the heroine Grace Darling (1815-1842) who rescued some
shipwrecked sailors off the coast of Northumberland. In 1900, Grace
was the 22nd most popular first name in Scotland. However, in recent years,
despite Princess Grace of Monaco, the name is
not found often in Scotland." 2
"grace" or "favour". It was not found often in Britain or Scotland until the
Puritans took it up in the 17th century, prompted by their phrase
"by the grace of God". The Puritans took the name to North America.
In Scotland it became quite popular in the 19th century but in a
number of cases it was derived from another popular name, Grizel, which
became "gris" and "Grace" (see also below). The name was given a boost
as a result of the heroine Grace Darling (1815-1842) who rescued some
shipwrecked sailors off the coast of Northumberland. In 1900, Grace
was the 22nd most popular first name in Scotland. However, in recent years,
despite Princess Grace of Monaco, the name is
not found often in Scotland." 2
All of the Grizels I found were in Scottish records. The first Grizel I found in our Bramble Bush was the mother-in-law of my 5th great uncle.
Grizel (Grace) Watson
BIRTH 25 MAR 1787 • Lamington, Lanarkshire, Scotland
DEATH 1 OCT 1865 • Kirkmuirhill, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
her husband was|
her husband was|
Alexander Pate
BIRTH 10 DEC 1779 • Clannochdyke, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
DEATH 25 MAY 1826 • Abbeygreen, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Their daughter
Their daughter
Elizabeth Pate
BIRTH 16 JUL 1818 • Lesmahag, Lanark
DEATH 19 JULY 1873 • Turfholm, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
married my 5th great uncle|
married my 5th great uncle|
James Graham
BIRTH 16 JUL 1811 • Closeburn, Dumfries, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotlan
DEATH 23 MAR 1886 • Drowned in River Dothan, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire
This couple has been very memorable for me because it is through one of their descendants that I was finally able to confirm this family line. Prior to the DNA match I had taken my 5th great grandparents out of my tree several times. I had started my tree over twice concerned I may have not researched accurately.
The DNA match finally allowed me to believe I had reasonably exhausted my search, and could claim my 5th great grandparents: Peter & Ann (nee Kirk) Graham.
This couple has been very memorable for me because it is through one of their descendants that I was finally able to confirm this family line. Prior to the DNA match I had taken my 5th great grandparents out of my tree several times. I had started my tree over twice concerned I may have not researched accurately.
The DNA match finally allowed me to believe I had reasonably exhausted my search, and could claim my 5th great grandparents: Peter & Ann (nee Kirk) Graham.
The DNA match confirmed that James Graham was the brother
of my 4th great grandfather
Robert Graham
BIRTH 16 JAN 1814 • Thornhill, Closeburn, Dumfries-shire, Scotland
DEATH 24 MAR 1892 • Forth, Lanarkshire, Scotland
married (my 4th great grandmother)
married (my 4th great grandmother)
Susanah (Susan) Hamilton
BIRTH 03 NOV 1814 • Carnwath, Lanarkshire
DEATH 11 APR 1894 • Forth, Lanarkshire, Scotland
The parents of James & Robert Graham were:
James and Robert had two sisters that I have found so far:
Peter Graham
BIRTH ABT 1788 • Closeburn, Dumfriesshire
DEATH Unknown
and
and
Ann Kirk
BIRTH ABT 1785
DEATH Unknown
James and Robert had two sisters that I have found so far:
Mary Graham
BIRTH 9 FEB 1819 • Crawfordjohn, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
DEATH Unknown
and
and
Elizabeth Graham (who married William Stark)
BIRTH 10 FEB 1821 • Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland:
DEATH 22 NOV 1903 • 16 Anderson Street, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire
My brick wall still stands at Peter Graham & Ann Kirk. I have found birth records for the 4 children I have listed. I have found no birth, marriage, or death records for either of them. I have found no records for other children. |I am still searching.
By using family line specific DNA profile photos I can easily see where DNA matches have confirmed the paper trail research.
Still searching to get past the brick walls!
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***
Footnotes:
1 What's in a Name? Grizel, Retrieved November 28th 2020 from
https://www.whatsinaname.net/female-names/Grizel.html
2 Popular Scottish Forenames, Grace, Grizel, Retrieved November 28th 2020 from
http://www.rampantscotland.com/forenames/blnames_fg.htm
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/
___________________________________________________________
This is why I search -
Cause ...
You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***
Footnotes:
1 What's in a Name? Grizel, Retrieved November 28th 2020 from
https://www.whatsinaname.net/female-names/Grizel.html
2 Popular Scottish Forenames, Grace, Grizel, Retrieved November 28th 2020 from
http://www.rampantscotland.com/forenames/blnames_fg.htm
Links:
Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/
If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please
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My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.
All rights reserved.
Please & Thank you!
___________________________________________________________
Thank you so much for this enlightening info on Grizel vs. Grace. I, too, was a bit put off by the name Grizel, which I just came across in my family history research. Grace is lovely, though.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw the name I really was perplexed, and one day finally thought how is that a name. It was enlightening :)
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