Surname Griggs - Meaning and Origin

An Ancient Saga Unveiled: Peeling Back Layers of the Griggs Surname with iGENEA DNA Test

Opening my iGENEA DNA test results was like beginning a journey back in time. It played out like an epic tale, central to which was the boisterous presence of the Griggs surname. With every revelation, from Scandinavian Viking roots to ancient Sephardic Jewish lineage, I found my conception of the Griggs name and my identity transforming, growing deeper, richer, and vastly more intricate.

N. Griggs

Griggs: What does the surname Griggs mean?

The surname Griggs is of Old Norse origin, primarily found in England and Scotland. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name, "Greg", a short form of "Gregory". The name Gregory itself is derived from the Greek "Gregorios", meaning "watchful" or "alert". Therefore, Griggs is the patronymic form of Greg meaning "son of Greg". Over the centuries, the spelling has evolved leading to numerous variations including Gregg, Grigg, Grig, Griggs, etc. The name became popular during the Middle Ages honoring St. Gregory, a 4th-century bishop from Cappadocia known for sending missionaries to England. Hence, this surname has religious connotations as well. The Griggs families were traditionally quite prominent, owning land and taking up important positions in society. Today, people with the surname Griggs can be found all over the world, but particularly concentrated in the English-speaking countries.

Griggs: Where does the name Griggs come from?

The surname Griggs has roots in England and is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Greg". It originated largely from Southeastern England, specifically, Norfolk County. The name Griggs uses the suffix "-s", making it patronymic and meaning 'son of Greg'.

The incorporation of this surname dates back to medieval times, however, numerous spelling variations such as Gregg, Greg, and Grig, persisted till the consistent usage of the Greggs and Griggs versions settled in the 17th Century.

Today, this surname is most common in the United States, according to WorldNames PublicProfiler. Within the US, it is particularly prevalent in the South, especially in states such as Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. It's relatively common in England, too, specifically in the Norfolk area where it originated, but not as common as it is in the US. The surname is also found in smaller numbers across Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Griggs

The surname Griggs is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and the variations of this surname can be seen across different cultures and countries, each with its modifications and misspellings. Variants and similar surnames of Griggs can include Grigg, Grix, Grig, Grik, Grige, Griege, and Griges. These variations can also have additional prefixes or suffixes, like McGriggs or Griggsen, and variant spellings such as Griggs, Gryggs, or Griegs.

Surname origin also includes Griggsby which could be a location-based derivation. Surnames like Griggs often saw adaptations or misspellings as families migrated to new countries, especially during the immigration waves to countries like the United States and Australia in the past centuries.

Given the varied spellings and translations, there might be many more versions of the Griggs surname, particularly evident in cultures with different languages and alphabets. The surnames might not be spelled precisely the same way as Griggs, but it could have similar origins or meanings, thus indirectly relating to the Griggs family name.

Famous people with the name Griggs

• Andy Griggs: An American country music artist who achieved popularity in the late 90s.
• Sutton Griggs: An influential African-American author, Baptist minister, and social activist.
• Roberta Griggs: She was an American football player who was one of the pioneers of women's professional football.
• Jarrett Griggs: Known for his performance in movies such as Pineapple Express and Cruel Intentions 3.
• Johnny Griggs: An American actor and director known for The Gunslinger, Buccaneer's Girl and Kentucky Rifle.
• June Griggs: She was an actress, mainly known for her work in Kitten with a Whip in 1964, The New Interns in 1964 and The Chase in 1966.
• Molly Griggs: An American actress who is known for roles in the series "Prodigal Son" and movies such as "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase".
• Vince Griggs: Famously known as a former British professional boxer who competed during the 1970s and 1980s.
• Marguerite Griggs: An American actress known for Charley's Aunt (1941), The Glass Key (1942) and Sullivan's Travels (1941).
• Roger L. Griggs: An influential former NASA astronaut.
• Gilly Griggs: A famous British contemporary artist.

Other surnames

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