Surname Griff - Meaning and Origin
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Griff: What does the surname Griff mean?
The last name Griff is of Welsh origin, and it is derived from the name Griffin, which was a nickname used in Medieval times.
Griff means either "ruler" or "strong", indicating a brave and courageous individual. It is possible that Griff originated either from the Welsh word ‘Gryff,’ which means "bright," or from ‘griffar," which is an old Welsh word meaning "watchman".
The first recorded spelling of the name was Guufre, which appeared in the Doomsday Book of 1086. From that time onwards, Griff names began to appear frequently in records, including Gilbert Griff of Bedford in 1260. By the 1500s, Griff had become a popular name in western Europe.
Today, the name is still relatively popular, particularly in the United Kingdom, where several hundred people still bear the name. It is a particularly popular name in Wales, where its Welsh heritage is highlighted.
Though the root of Griff has likely been lost among the ages, the name still carries with it connotations of strength, courage and leadership, counteracting its 8th century beginnings to remain an important part of the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisGriff: Where does the name Griff come from?
The Last Name Griff is most common in the United Kingdom, where it originated. In England, Wales, and Scotland, the Griff surname is particularly concentrated around eastern and southern England and in the southwest of Wales, likely due to immigrants from France and the Low Countries.
In the United States, Griff is a more uncommon name but is still found particularly in the South and Midwest regions. The surname was likely brought to America by early English or Welsh settlers.
In Ireland, Griffs likely migrated from England or Wales centuries ago and are accordingly found in greatest frequency in the east and south of the island.
Outside of the main regions, Griffs may also be found in Germany, Eastern Europe, Australia, and across the world. While there is no single origin of the Griff surname, its prevalence points to a strong immigrant background in multiple locations. As time passes, Griffs continue to migrate and spread throughout the globe.
Variations of the surname Griff
The surname Griff has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Griff is often spelled Griffin or Griffen. In Wales, it may be spelled Gruffudd or Griffiths. In Scotland, it may be spelled McGraff, McGriff, or MacGriff. In Germany, it may take the form of Gruef, Grueff, or Greff.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, variants include Griffioen and Greve. The original surname is derived from the Welsh word "gruff-ydd," meaning "chief." In Italy, it is sometimes found in the form of Greif, Griebel, or Greiff. In France, variants include Greve, Greff, Greffe, and Greece. In Bulgaria and Romania, the surname is usually spelled Grif.
The anglicized form of Griff is often seen as Griffiths or Griffeth. In Latinized forms, it can appear as Grind, Grynde, or Grynderson. Some surnames of the same origin include Grizzle, Grunn, and Grisly.
Most variants of Griff share the same meaning of "chief" or "lord," regardless of the language they are found in. The popularity of this surname as a first name has increased in recent decades, as it has become associated with the character from the television series, "The X-Files," with the surname of Scully. It is also a popular surname in fanfiction, most often used in fantasy writing.
Famous people with the name Griff
- Harry Griff: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Robert Griffin III: NFL quarterback
- Morgan Griffin: Australian actress
- Cody Griffin: Football player for the NFL
- Katelynn Griffin: Professional runner and CrossFit athlete
- Stephen Griff: professional hockey player
- Dee Griff: Former American comedian and actor
- Charles Griffin: Actor
- Harry Griffin: former English footballer
- Phil Griffin: American media executive and journalist