Grenfell Family History

DNA

 At present a Grenfell DNA project does not exist but I believe that it could be valuable in establishing a connection between the various branches of the family. An assessment of a DNA project can be found on the Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS) website.

As can be seen on the Orgins of the Name page the first reference to the 'Grenfell' name is found in the St Just in Penwith Easter Book of 1588 where it is believed that descendants of a junior branch of the land owning Grenville family of North Cornwall had settled.

The earliest baptism in the parish records was of Ann d. of Hercules Grenfield at St Just in Penwith in 1632, followed in 1634 with Mary d. of Isaac Grinfield. The earliest marriage was that of John Martin & Mary Grendfield in 1611, followed by Richard Grenfield & Anne Richard in 1619. Other records in the 17th century appear in the parishes of Madron, Paul, St Erth, St Ives and Zennor.

At present these family branches cannot be connected through traditional research methods, although it is believed that the vast majority of, if not all, people carrying the Grenfell name are descended from these families in the far west of Cornwall. A DNA project would help to establish whether these families are, indeed, themselves connected.

If any researcher would like to undertake a DNA project this site would obviously be made available to publicise the results.