Surname Grigull - Meaning and Origin
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Grigull: What does the surname Grigull mean?
The last name Grigull is of German origin, derived from the Old German phrase “grigo” meaning “the one who racks grain”. The name was most likely used as a nickname for someone who did this job, eventually becoming a surname. This indicates that the Grigull surname likely originated with someone who was in the grain industry or who worked with grain in some capacity.
The name might also stem from the Old German phrase “gricul”, meaning “the grey wolf”. This could indicate that the Grigull surname either originated with someone who resembled a grey wolf in some way, or that the wolf was a symbolic animal associated with the bearer of the surname, perhaps as a family crest.
Grigull is a rare surname, and it is likely that the people who carry it today can trace their ancestry back to a single family or even a single individual who lived centuries ago. While the exact etymology of the name might remain a mystery, it is clear that the Grigull surname carries with it a rich history and has significant meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisGrigull: Where does the name Grigull come from?
The last name Grigull is most commonly found in Germany and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. In Latvia, Grigulls make up approximately 1.14 percent of the population and can be found in cities such as Riga, Daugavpils, and Liepaja. In Estonia, it is more sparsely spread, despite making up about 0.096 percent of the population. The English spelling is usually spelt as Grigull, but it may also be seen as Krämer or Kröger in Germany or Grekel in Lithuania.
The origin of the name Grigull is disputed, but it is thought to derive from the earlier surname Gräme, which is derived from the medieval German words grima, meaning mask, and hari, meaning army. This suggests that it was first used to describe a group of soldiers, or even a particular family or clan.
The Grigull name has been a consistent presence in the Baltic region since the 15th century and its usage has only spread slightly since then. It remains largely concentrated in the countries of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, with some other families scattered across the rest of Europe, including in Scotland, Wales, and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Grigull
Grigull is a rare German and English surname which originated many centuries ago. Variants of the surname include Gri good, Griggel, Griggow, Grimigal, Grigoll, Greugel, Greiguel, Greugow, Riggal, Riggell, Rigow and Ryggel.
The surname can also be seen spelled as Grigul, Grigull, Gruigull, Griggull, Grigulle and Griggle. These are merely alternative spellings and not necessarily additional surnames. It is in fact quite a unique name, and you are unlikely to find others with the same surname.
In the English language, the surname Grigull is more often spelled as ‘Griddle’ or ‘Grizzle’. This is an Anglo-Saxon version of the name, originating with the Old English word ‘gridle’ which described a coarse garment or apron.
The surname Grigull is also seen in several other countries. In France, it is spelled ‘Grigulet’, while in Norway it is ‘Griegel’ or ‘Griegull’. In Dutch it is ‘Griggels’, while in Denmark it is ‘Rigel’. The Dutch, Danish and Norwegian spellings trace the origin of the surname back to the Old Norse word ‘rigill’ which meant “ruler”.
In Ireland, the surname Grigull is often seen spelled as 'Grigley'. This is a variant of the Irish language spelling ‘Gréigal’ which is derived from the Gaelic word ‘griegail’, meaning “ferocious”.
Since the name Grigull is quite rare, it is more than likely that any other surnames you encounter are either alternative spellings or surnames that have been adopted in place of the original. Further research into the origin and variant spellings of Grigull may help you to trace your family history.
Famous people with the name Grigull
- Christine Grigull, German television presenter
- Franz Grigull, German architect
- Luis Grigull, Brazilian film director
- Maria Grigull, German athlete (discus)
- Werner Grigull, German physicist