Surname Griffin - Meaning and Origin

“Tracing Griffin Roots: How iGENEA DNA Test Revolutionised My Self-Understanding”

DNA tests at iGENEA unveiled strong links to the influential Griffin family, tracing lineage back to 13th century Wales and exploring the contributions of Griffin ancestors to British politics and the shipping industry. The insights revolutionised my self-understanding, prompting an appreciation of my inclusion in the historic narrative.

X. Griffin

Griffin: What does the surname Griffin mean?

The surname Griffin is of Welsh origin and derives from the Welsh word "Griffith" meaning "chief" or "prince." It is a patronymic name, meaning it is based on the name of a male ancestor, in this case the first name Griffin or Griffith. Some sources also suggest that the name might have derived from "Griffon", a mythical creature depicted with a lion's body and the head and wings of an eagle, symbolizing strength and leadership. This suggests that its origins could be linked to families of power and leadership. Over time, the name has undergone various spellings such as Griffen, Griffon, Gryphon, etc. Today, the surname Griffin is prevalent in countries including the United States, England, Ireland, Australia, and Canada.

Griffin: Where does the name Griffin come from?

The surname Griffin has roots in both Welsh and Irish origins. In Welsh, the name is derived from "Gruffudd" or "Gruffydd", a popular given name during the Middle Ages. In Irish, the name comes from the Gaelic "Ó Gríofa" and is commonly associated with the Gaelic clan of that name whose ancestry can be traced back to the Kingdom of Thomond in Ireland.

In both cultures, the name means "red", "ruddy", or "prince". The surname also has variations including Griffey, Griffith, or Griffiths.

Today, Griffin is a common surname in Ireland, Wales, and England. It's also prevalent in countries with substantial Irish and Welsh immigrants, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Over time, due to migration and descendants, Griffin has become a more widely spread surname reaching different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Griffin

The surname Griffin has a few other spellings and variants, mainly due to regional and cultural variations in spelling the surname throughout history. These variants include Griffen, Griffon, Griffey, Giffin, Griffis, Gryffin, and Griffyn.

The surname Griffin has roots in both Welsh and Irish origin. In Welsh context, it came from the personal name Griffin, which means ‘strong lord’. Thus, there are Welsh surnames of the same origin such as Griffith, Griffiths, and Gruffudd.

In an Irish context, it stems from the Gaelic "O'Griobhtha," meaning "descendant of the Griffin-like." Hence, Irish surnames like O’Griffin, O’Griobhtha, and McGriffin share the same origin.

Some surnames evolved over the years due to Griffin migrating to different regions, such as "Griffioen" in Holland, "Griffon" in France, and "Grifoni" in Italy.

The surname can also appear in compound surnames that including "Griffin" as part of a longer name, such as "Griffin-Smith" or "Griffin-Jones".

Famous people with the name Griffin

• Kathy Griffin: An American comedian and actress, known for her reality show "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List".
• Blake Griffin: A professional basketball player who has played for NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets.
• Merv Griffin: A late American television host, singer, and media mogul, best known for creating popular game shows like "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune".
• Ken Griffin: An American billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist, who is the founder of Citadel.
• Robert Griffin III: An American football quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2011.
• Eddie Griffin: An American actor and comedian, known for his role in the sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie".
• Tim Griffin: An American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district.
• Angela Griffin: A British actress, known for her roles in popular TV dramas like "Coronation Street", "Cutting It", and "Waterloo Road".
• Archie Griffin: A former American football running back, the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice.
• Nick Griffin: A British politician, who was the chairman of the British National Party (BNP) from 1999 to 2014.
• Griffin Gluck: an American actor, famous for his roles in films like "Just Go With It", "Big Time Adolescence", and the Netflix series "Locke & Key".
• Patty Griffin: An American singer-songwriter and musician whose album "Downtown Church" won a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

Other surnames

GriffGriffeGriffelGriffenGriffethGriffethsGriffetsGriffettGriffingGriffisGriffithGriffithsGriffittsGrifflGriffy