This name derives from the Olde Norse personal name Grimhildr - a compound of the elements 'grim' meaning a 'mask' or 'helmet' and 'hildr' - a battle. The surname from this source is first recorded in the mid 13th century. Alternate spellings have included: Grumet - the Hundred Rolls of Warwickshire 1275, Grymyd - The Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire (1379) and Grymholde (1555) - the Marriage Licence Records of London. In 1771 one George Grimmett married a Mary Reeve in St. George's Church, Hanover Square, London. In the modern idiom the name has six spelling variations: Grimmet(t), Grumitt, Grummett, Grummit and Grummitt. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Grymet which was dated 1251 The Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire during the reign of King Henry 111 The Frenchman 1216-1272 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.