After the Normans had established themselves in England, the
name Grant became widespread, appearing in many documents from
various areas, which are with us today. In the French and Gaelic
languages, the word has the similar meanings of big and more.
The earliest recordings of Grants in Scotland, however, are
from the mid-thirteenth century, and describe the acquisition
of Stratherrick land through the marriage of a Grant to Sir
John Bisset’s daughter Mary. One of their two children
was Sir Laurence le Grand, who became the Sheriff of Inverness.
The family supported Robert the Bruce towards his acquisition
of the Scottish crown.