Greaser

The surname "GREASER" has its origins in England, tracing back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "grece," meaning "grease" or "fat," and was likely an occupational name for a person who worked with grease or fat, such as a chandler or a tallow maker.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1194, where it appears as "Greser." This suggests that the name was already in use in northern England by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name is recorded in various forms, including "le Greser," "Gresere," and "Gresier," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that time. The "le" prefix was often used to denote a person's occupation or trade.

The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a John le Gresere from Oxfordshire, indicating that the name had spread to other parts of England by that time. This record provides an early example of the name being associated with a specific individual.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the form "Gresier" in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, suggesting its presence in the West Midlands region.

One notable figure from history who bore the surname "GREASER" was John Greser, a merchant and alderman of London who lived in the late 14th century. He is mentioned in various records from the 1370s and 1380s, including the Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London.

Another individual of note was William Greser, a landowner from Nottinghamshire who is mentioned in the Inquisitions Post Mortem records of 1428. This record provides evidence of the surname's connection to landholding and social status in the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Gresier," "Gresyer," and "Gresser," in records from counties like Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, and Worcestershire. This suggests that the name had spread across different regions of England by that time.

One notable bearer of the name during this period was Thomas Gresier, a merchant and member of the Merchant Taylors' Company in London, who is mentioned in the company's records in the mid-16th century.

By the 17th century, the spelling "GREASER" had become more common, as evidenced by records such as the Subsidy Rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1612, which mention a William Greaser from the village of Radcliffe-on-Trent.

In the 18th century, the name appears in various parish records across England, indicating its continued presence and distribution throughout the country.