Surname Greiff - Meaning and Origin
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Greiff: What does the surname Greiff mean?
The last name Greiff is German in origin. It is derived from the German words "griechisch" and "friesen," both of which mean "Greek." The surname Greiff was most likely created by someone who had some Greek ancestry and wanted to make it known.
Historically, the surname Greiff was a patronymic name, meaning that it was derived from the father's given name. It indicated that the person bearing the surname was the son or descendant of someone with the name Greif. Variations of the Greiff surname include Griep, Grefe, Greive, Greiffel, and Greifenstein.
The meaning behind the name Greiff is quite romantic. It could symbolize exploration, ambition, and intelligence, as the surname relates back to the ancient Greeks who were known for their discoveries and exploration throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.
The Greiff surname is still relatively uncommon and mainly found in Germany and nearby countries. Those who bear the name are proud to be part of this elite group and continue to honour its heritage in their own unique ways.
Order DNA origin analysisGreiff: Where does the name Greiff come from?
The surname Greiff is a relatively rare surname, originating in Germany. It is most common in Germany and other parts of central and northern Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and France. Today, the last name is still common in many of these countries, with pockets of Greiff families living in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond. According to some sources, Greiff may be derived from the German language word “griff”, meaning “hook” or “claw”, and the surname may have been first adopted by someone who worked in a trade involving these items.
The Greiff surname has even been associated with royalty, such as Frederick the Great of Prussia, who held the title of Count von Greiffenfeld. Greiff families in Germany have been members of the aristocracy and rural landowners for centuries, while those in the Netherlands may have originated as Dutch-Jewish immigrants. Later, Greiff families had begun to emigrate to other countries, including the United States and Canada, where the surname is thought to have been first used in the mid-1800s.
Today, Greiff family members are likely to be found in a variety of places around the world. In the United States, the highest concentration of Greiffs is located in Pennsylvania, with other Greiff families found in Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, and New York. In Canada, Greiffs are most common in Ontario and British Columbia. In Europe, Greiffs are likely to be concentrated in northern and central Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Austria.
Variations of the surname Greiff
The surname Greiff is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the word “greif,” which means “griffin.” This surname can vary in spelling and be spelled as “Griep,” “Greif,” or “Greiff.” Common variants of this surname include Greifer, Greiffenberger, Greifenberger, Greifenbruch, Falls, Pfeiffenberger, Grieffenberger, Greiffenstein, and Greifenstein. Surnames with similar origin and meanings include Greif, Greifenberg, Greifenberger, and Greifenbauer, as well as the rare surnames Chreif, Kreigfelder, Greiff, Greiffe, Greift, Greyf, Greyff, Grief, Grieff, Griff, and Grife.
The spelling may also vary greatly between countries and within countries. Sometimes, local dialects and customs may influence the spelling as well. For example, in the United States, the pronunciation of Greiff may change to “GREEF,” and therefore the spelling for the surname may be changed to “GREEF.” In Germany, the spelling is traditionally “GREIFF” and pronounced “GRAHF.”
The surname Greiff is very common in Germany and other German-speaking countries, and can be found throughout Europe, North America, South America, Australasia, and even India. In some countries such as the United States, the spelling has changed over time due to local present-day pronunciations and customs. As such, Greiff is seen in various spellings and associated with various surnames, all of which likely derive from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Greiff
- Udo Greiff: Udo Greiff is a German business executive and manager, who has worked for Unilever, Emerson Electric, and more recently Henkel, since 2012.
- Claudia Greiff: Claudia Greiff is a German journalist and television moderator, who has presented shows such as “Weltklasse” and “Stern TV”.
- Bernhard Greiff: Bernhard Greiff is a German former ambassador to the United Nations from 1969: 1976.
- Arnold Greiff: Arnold Greiff was a German-American Jewish business magnate, banker, and philanthropist, who was involved in numerous banking and investment opportunities.
- Markus Greiff: Markus Greiff is a German football manager and coach, known for his highly competitive teams.
- Cora Greiff: Cora Greiff is a German author and illustrator, known for her children's books such as "Funny Bunny and Little Mouse".
- Hermine Greiffenhagen: Hermine Greiffenhagen was a German actress, editing, and screenplay writer, who appeared in more than 150 feature films throughout her career.
- Kurt Greiff: Kurt Greiff is a German psychologist, specializing in behavioral psychology and working with trauma cases.
- Franz Greiff: Franz Greiff was a German politician, who served as a Member of Parliament (MEP) from the state of Baden-Württemberg from 1998: 2011.
- Roland Greiff: Roland Greiff is a German racecar driver, known for his success in the DTM series.