The surname of GRAFTON was a locational name 'of Grafton' parishes in the diocese of  Peterborough, Worcestershire, Hereford and of Salisbury. The name was derived from  the Old English word GRAFTUN, literally meaning the dweller by the grove-enclosure  settlement. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated  where he lived. Early records of the name mention William de Grafton, during the  reign of Edward II (1307-1327). Robertus de Grafton of Yorkshire, was listed in the  Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes  General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. The bulk of European surnames in  countries such as England and France were formed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The  process started earlier and continued in some places into the 19th century, but the  norm is that in the 11th century people did not have surnames, whereas by the 15th  century they did. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times,  although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at  furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and  assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to  distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing  Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413- 1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who  could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at  Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds  who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings. Over the centuries, most  people in Europe have accepted their surname as a fact of life, as irrevocable as an  act of God. However much the individual may have liked or disliked the surname, they  were stuck with it, and people rarely changed them by personal choice. A more common  form of variation was in fact involuntary, when an official change was made, in other  words, a clerical error. (Source: http://www.4crests.com/grafton-coat-of-arms.html)