Surname Grigg - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grigg: What does the surname Grigg mean?
The surname Grigg is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name "Gregory." Gregory is from the Greek name "Gregorios," which means “watchful or alert.” The Norman invasion introduced the name to England in the 12th century, and it became popular due to the numerous saints and popes with this name in the early Christian period. Over time, Gregorios evolved into Gregg or Grigg. Therefore, the surname Grigg may indicate a familial connection or descendancy from someone named Gregory. The usage and distribution of the Grigg surname are most widely seen in England, showing a high presence particularly in Cornwall. Overall, surnames are often related to occupational, locational, or personal identifiers from ancient times; in this case, the name Grigg is connected to a personal name.
Order DNA origin analysisGrigg: Where does the name Grigg come from?
The surname Grigg is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically deriving from the personal name Gregory which in turn comes from the Greek Gregorios, meaning "watchful" or "alert". The surname, seen in early records as Greg, Gregg, or Grigg, was adopted from a nickname for someone who bore a perceived resemblance to a character traits of a known Gregory.
Grigg is most commonly seen in England, amidst regions known for strong Anglo-Saxon influence. Despite its origins, the name spread over time, and concentrations of individuals with the Grigg surname are now found not only in the United Kingdom, but also in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It's not amongst the most common last names but its heritage and widespread dispersal make it recognizable. Variations of the surname like Gregg and Greggs also carried over to these regions.
Variations of the surname Grigg
The surname Grigg is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Greg", itself from "Gregorius", a name popular due to being borne by early Christian saints including St. Gregory the Great. This name eventually spawned multiple variations.
Variant forms of the surname Grigg can include: Gregg, Greig, Grieg, Griggs, Griege, Grigge, and Gryggs. These different spellings came about due to phonetic variations and changes in language over time.
Some surname variations were also location-based. For example, the spelling "Greig" is more commonly found in Scotland, while "Griggs" is often associated with England. People could have adopted these variations as they established new families and moved to different locations, leading to a broad spectrum of surnames with similar origins.
Other potential variations possibly related to Grigg through derivation from the same root name 'Gregorius' include the surnames Gregson, Gregor, McGregor, and possibly Gregory, although these surnames also have origins separate from the Grigg surname.
Also, there are different spelling variations based on geographical locations and local dialects throughout the UK that could potentially give rise to different surnames. But primarily, the variants stated above are the most common.
Famous people with the name Grigg
- Simon Grigg: A noted New Zealand music industry figure who has been influential in the New Zealand music scene since the 1970s.
- Robert Leslie 'Les' Grigg: A former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1940s.
- Jake Grigg: The lead vocalist of the Australian rock bank Something with Numbers.
- John Grigg: A British historian and biographer, well-known for his biographical series on David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister of the UK.
- Nicholas Grigg: A New Zealand born rugby player who currently plays for Scotland.
- Nathan Grigg: A professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League.
- Arthur Grigg: A New Zealand cricket player who played for Wellington from 1918 till 1930.
- David Grigg: A retired Australian geologist and former CEO of BHP.
- Bill Grigg: A former Australian politician.
- Carolyn Grigg: An American singer who was Los Angeles' KOST 103.5 FM radio's official "Christmas vocalist".
- Marc Grigg: An Australian former cricketer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Please note that not all these individuals may be universally recognized as "famous," but they have achieved note in their respective fields.