Surname Grindall - Meaning and Origin

Grindall: What does the surname Grindall mean?

The last name Grindall has origins in the parish of Grindale, located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and records of the name date back to the 13th century. The Grindalls of Grindale are believed to have had Viking and Norman ancestry, and are connected to a line of "Grondales" who existed in the area as early as the 12th century.

The surname Grindall is most likely derived from the Old English words 'grund' (ground) and 'halh' (heathland, or a plot of land). This suggests that the original meaning of the name referred to people who lived in a rural area, either by choice or due to circumstances. It is also possible that the name was used to denote a location in the parish of Grindale, rather than a person's actual place of residence.

The Grindall family were prominent landowners in East Riding until the 1600s, and later became involved in major trading operations throughout the North Sea regions. The name gradually spread throughout England, and eventually to the United States as more Grindall families emigrated. Today, the name Grindall is most commonly associated with the sailing-ship trading days of the past, and still carries a deep prestige and legacy.

Grindall: Where does the name Grindall come from?

The last name Grindall is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United Kingdom, Grindall is predominantly found in England, especially in North West England. It also has strong occurrences in London and around the Scottish Borders. In the United States, Grindall is mainly found in the South-eastern states.

The etymology of Grindall reveals that it is an old Anglo-Saxon personal name derived from the Old English words 'gryndel' and 'hæthel' which together mean 'wooded slope near a stream'. This suggests that the Grindall family originally lived near a nearby stream and managed, or worked in woodland that was close by.

The 1800s was the heyday of the Grindall name as it ranked fairly highly in the birth and census records of various countries. Whilst it remains a relatively uncommon surname today, there are still a number of people sharing this surname. If you are a British national interested in researching your family tree or genealogy, then the chances of finding a Grindall in your ancestral tree is very likely.

Variations of the surname Grindall

The surname Grindall is of Anglo-Saxon descent and is believed to have derived from either of two place names in the North or East Ridings of Yorkshire. The variant spellings, as well as different surnames of the same origin are as follows:

Grindal: This is a variant spelling of Grindall and may also be seen spelt as Grinndal.

Grindell: This is a variant spelling which is still in use today by some Grindall families in England and other parts of the world.

Gryndel: This is a variant which has seen increased usage over the years, predominantly in the Northern counties of England.

Greendale: This is a surname derived from the same origin as Grindall and Grindal. It is derived from a combination of the Old English words grine and dael, meaning "place of the grine".

Groundell: This spelling is rarely used today, but can be found in records dating back to the 16th century.

Grinal: This is believed to be an alternate spelling of Gryndel.

Grinnell: This is another variant of the Grindall surname which is sometimes found in records from the 19th century.

Greindell: This is another variant of the Grindall surname which is occasionally found in records.

Greenand: This is another variant of the Grindall surname which is derived from the Old English words grene and annd, meaning "place of the grine".

Overall, the Grindall surname holds much history and can be found in a variety of forms. Its variants are evidence of the evolution of the spelling over the centuries and in many cases, its alternative names represent a different lineage of the same family.

Famous people with the name Grindall

• David Grindall: English poet, playwright and novelist
• John Grindall: an English historical writer and historian
• Peter Grindall: British organist, composer and conductor
• Thomas Grindal: an English Protestant leader
• Daniel Grindall: an English composer and musician
• Mark Grindall: an English pianist and composer
• Conor Grindall: a Scottish professional footballer
• John Grindall-Baker: an English barrister and judge
• Richard Grindall: an English professional cricketer
• Terry Grindall: an English professional cricketer
• Jonathan Grindall: an English painter and printmaker

Other surnames

GrindahlGrindal