Surname Grange - Meaning and Origin

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D. Grange

Grange: What does the surname Grange mean?

The surname Grange is of French origin and is derived from the Old French term "grange", which means "granary" or "barn". This name was often used for people who lived by a barn or a granary or worked in one. It can be classified as a topographic surname, which is derived from geographical or man-made features in a landscape. There is also a possibility of it being an occupational surname, given to people based on the job or occupation they held. This name is widespread across France and can also be found in other parts of Europe and countries of European descent because of migration and movement over the centuries. The various derivatives of this surname include De La Grange, Lagrange, Granger, and others. In some rare instances, it might also denote someone from any of various places named La Grange or Grange.

Grange: Where does the name Grange come from?

The surname Grange is of French origin, derived from the Old French term "grange" meaning "granary" or "barn." Often, this name was given to those who owned or worked on a granary or barn. In the Middle Ages, Grange was usually a name for someone who lived in or was employed at a granary.

The surname appeared in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, brought over by French migrants. Over time, the name dispersed around Europe and eventually to other parts of the world through emigration.

Currently, the surname Grange remains most common in France. In addition, it is quite widespread in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. But, while you might encounter the last name Grange in various parts of the world, it isn't significantly prevalent outside of France. According to Forebears, the surname Grange is most prevalent in France, with the highest density in Manche, a department located in Normandy.

Variations of the surname Grange

The surname Grange has various spellings, variants and possibly the same origins. It's primarily of French origin, but also has roots in Italian, Spanish, and English cultures. Alternate spellings and variations of Grange can include Granger, Granges, LeGrange, LaGrange, Legrange and Lagrange.

In French, the name is often associated with the term 'grange' which means a granary or a barn, suggesting occupational roots of farming. The Italian surname variant could be “Grangia" - also related to agricultural terminology.

In addition, the variations could also be geographical, stemming from places named after the word 'Grange'. For example, LaGrange is a common town name in France and also in the United States. Variations such as "de la Grange" or "de Grange" might also indicate location-based surname origins.

Due to migrations and regional dialects, spelling variations of the same surname were quite common, so the surname may have morphed into different versions. For instance, an English bearer of the surname might have the variant "Granger" implying a farm bailiff.

As for the surnames of the same origin, such as names related to occupations or locations, they may include Farmer, Barnard, Fields, or Townend.

Famous people with the name Grange

• Red Grange: Nicknamed The Galloping Ghost, Red Grange was an American football halfback known for his player achievements with University of Illinois and later Chicago Bears. He is considered one of the greatest American football players.
• Michelle Grange: She is a British Paralympian athlete, well-known for her performance in discus throw and shot put.
• Jack Grange: A British actor, known for his work in TV series such as "The Bill".
• Maggie Grange: Best known for her activities in the Australian film industry, she is an actress and a film editor.
• Laurence Grange: A French actor, popularly known for his work in movies and television dramas in France.
• Brigitte Grange: A French actress known for her roles in films like "The Raven" and "The Scarlet Lady".
• Leslie Grange: An English cricket player who played county cricket for Yorkshire.
• Robert de la Grange: A famous French author known for his work in Medieval History and Church History. Please note that some of these individuals may not be widely recognized as 'famous' to a general audience, but within their respective fields or nations of origin, they have achieved a level of notoriety.

Other surnames

Granger