This is a Medieval English patronymic name which translates as "the son of Grimm" (petit Grimm) but which originally derives from the Norse-Viking pre 8th Century "Grimr" a personal name meaning "The Fierce One". Perhaps not surprisingly the name was equally popular with the Normans after the 1066 invasion which may account for the surname survival as Grimme, Grime, Grimes, Grimmer, Grimm etc.. In Medieval times it became regarded as a nickname for one of a fierce appearance and was considered highly complimentary. Amongst the sample recordings of London are the christenings of Elizabeth Grimmett on August 14th 1672 at St. Andrew Holborn, and Henry Grimmett on March 11th 1714 at St. Peter's, Cornhill. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Grymet, (witness), which was dated 1251, in the "Yorkshire Assize Courts", Yorkshire, during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. 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.

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