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Show ContentsGriffin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Etymology of Griffin

What does the name Griffin mean?

The name Griffin is from the rugged landscape of Wales. It is a Celtic name that was derived from the Welsh surname Griffith or Ap Griffyn as in the son of Griffin or Griffith. 1

The exact origin of this name and its relationship with the Welsh baptismal name is difficult to pinpoint as they seem to be intermixed. The Domesday Book of 1086 "shows us a Grifin in Cornwall, and in Cheshire a Grifin Rex, first a favourite of Edward the Confessor, and afterwards a rebel against him. He was probably a Welsh border prince. The same old record presents us with a "Grifin puer" and a "Grifin filius Mariadoc," most likely identical, as a tenant in chief in co. Hereford." 2

Another source points toward the name as a nickname as "a name given to a noted man, whose qualities or disposition, in some respects, resembled this fabulous creature. Griffwn, in Welsh, is applied to a man having a crooked nose, like a hawk's bill. Gryffyn, in the Cornish British, signifies 'to give.' It may be the same as Griffith." 3

So as to confirm this later sources postulation, we found the "Gruffin, Griffin, a pet-form of Middle Welsh Gruffudd; in the Welsh border counties introduced direct from Wales, in the eastern counties by the Bretons who came over with the Conqueror and were numerous there." 4

Early Origins of the Griffin family

The surname Griffin was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the name Grifin "occurs in Cheshire, Hereford, and Cornwall. The name is most numerous in the contiguous counties of Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, and afterwards in the counties immediately around, also extending westward to Devon and Somerset. Not found in the northern half of England. " 5

As already mentioned, the name was first used as a forename and indeed that was the first record in various rolls. Griffin filius Gurgan was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Pembrokeshire (Wales) in 1130. A few years later, Osbertus filius Griffini was listed in Norfolk in 1153-1168 and Gruffin son of Oweyn was listed in Cheshire in 1285. Robert Grifin was found in Winton, Hampshire in 1148 and Godfrey, Robert Griffin was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Wales in 1197 and the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1219. John Griffen was listed at St. Thomas, Staffordshire c. 1230. 4

Up in the north, early records were found in Scotland. "Robertus Griffin held land in Newtyle before 1226, William Griffin was witness to a charter by Andrew, bishop of Moray, 1233. Griffinus, canon of Moray, witnessed excambion of the lands of Dolays Michel (Dallas), 1232." 6

Sir Thomas Griffin (1323-1360) was a Knight of Weston Favell Manor and the Manor of Braybrooke, Northamptonshire, England. He was son of John Griffin (1272-1350.) This line claims descent from Ralph Griffin (b. 1190), son of Griffith and Gwenllian.

Early History of the Griffin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Griffin research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1332, 1392, 1596, 1602, 1680, 1692, 1706, 1740 and 1771 are included under the topic Early Griffin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Griffin Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Griffin have included Griffin, Griffen, Griffinus and others.

Early Notables of the Griffin family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • B. Griffin (fl. 1596), English poet, probably related to the Griffins of Dingley, Northamptonshire, has been identified with a Bartholomew Griffin of Coventry, who as buried on 15 Dec. 1602 at Holy Tr...
  • Benjamin Griffin (1680-1740), was an English actor and dramatist, the son of the Rev. Benjamin Griffin, rector of Buxton and Oxnead in Norfolk, and chaplain to the Earl of Yarmouth, was born in Yarmou...
  • Admiral Thomas Griffin (c. 1692-1771) was a Royal Navy officer who served in the War of Jenkins' Ear. He later became Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station
  • Thomas Griffin (1706?-1771), was an English organ-builder and Gresham professor of music, the son of a wharfinger. 7

Griffin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Griffin is the 98th most popular surname with an estimated 208,908 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Griffin is ranked the 578th most popular surname with an estimated 8,607 people with that name. 9 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Griffin is the 266th popular surname with an estimated 166 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Griffin as 264th with 12,877 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Griffin as 223rd with 2,572 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Griffin as 231st with 25,151 people. 13

Griffin migration to the United States +

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Griffin:

Griffin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Reginald Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1621 14
  • Rise Griffin, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Flying Hart" 14
  • John Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
  • Thomas Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
  • Richard Griffin, who settled in Virginia in 1623
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Griffin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Owen Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1701 14
  • Humphrey Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1712 14
  • Henry Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 14
  • Ambrose Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
  • Andrew Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1715 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Griffin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lady Christina Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1807 14
  • Daw Griffin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 14
  • Benjamin Pitt Griffin, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1812 14
  • Jeremiah Griffin, aged 35, who landed in New York in 1812 14
  • Geo Griffin, aged 19, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Griffin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Griffin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • William Griffin, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • John Griffin, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752
  • William Griffin, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752
  • Mr. John Griffin U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 154 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Griffin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Griffin, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1815
  • Mary Leasy Griffin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1822
  • Catherine Griffin, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1830
  • Horatio N Griffin, who arrived in Canada in 1830
  • Ellen Griffin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Griffin Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Christopher Griffin, (Harrison), English convict who was convicted in Ely (Isle of Ely), Cambridgeshire, England for 14 years for robbery, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Griffin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Oliver Griffin, Irish convict who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Miss Teresa Griffin, (b. 1795), aged 18, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1816 18
  • Mr. William Griffin, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. William Griffin, (b. 1791), aged 31, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life for rioting, transported aboard the "Brampton" on 8th November 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Henry Griffin, English convict from Berkshire, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Griffin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Griffin, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Griffin, aged 19, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
  • Mr. CharlesGriffin, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand in 1855 22
  • Mrs. Griffin, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand in 1855 22
  • Oliver Griffin, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Shamrock" in 1856
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffin migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Griffin Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. George Griffin, Cornish settler from Marazion, Cornwall, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 24
  • Miss Ann Griffin, (b. 1600), aged 35, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 25
  • Mr. Thomas Griffin, (b. 1603), aged 32, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Griffin (post 1700) +

  • Gerald D. "Gerry" Griffin (b. 1934), American former NASA flight director and director of Johnson Space Center and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Loyal Martin "Marty" Griffin Jr. (1920-2024), American physician, environmentalist and conservationist in Northern California and author of the book Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast
  • Drew Griffin (1962-2022), American four-time Emmy Award winning journalist known for his work at American cable news channel CNN
  • David Ray Griffin (1939-2022), American professor of philosophy of religion and theology and a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, co-founder of the Center for Process Studies in 1973
  • Della Griffin (1922-2022), also known as Della Simpson, an American jazz vocalist and drummer, member of two of the first all female R&B groups in the 1950s, The Enchanters and The Dell-Tones
  • Bob F. Griffin (1935-2021), American politician who served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1971 to 1996, Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996
  • James Patrick Griffin (1933-2019), American-born philosopher, White's Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Oxford from 1996 to 2000
  • Miriam Tamara Griffin (1935-2018), née Dressler, an American classical scholar and tutor of Ancient History at Somerville College, Oxford (1967-2002)
  • LaShell Renee Griffin (b. 1968), American gospel musician
  • Tom Griffin (1946-2018), American playwright, best known for his play The Boys Next Door (1988)
  • ... (Another 37 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. John Griffin (1940-1985), American Flight Captain from Miami, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Violetta Griffin (1887-1914), née Boaz Canadian Third Class Passenger from Brantford, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • Mrs. Grace Griffin (1886-1914), née Withnell Canadian Second Class Passenger from Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • Miss Winniefred Griffin (1913-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Charles A Griffin (b. 1921), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Alresford, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
HMS Royal Oak
  • Harry Griffin (d. 1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 29
SS Atlantic
  • Mr. James Crowley Griffin, (Crowley), Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Mary Griffin, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. John Griffin (1898-1914), Newfoundlander from Harbour Grace who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Lawrence J. Griffin, American Private First Class from Louisiana, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 30
  • Mr. Reese Olin Griffin, American Electrician's Mate Third Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 30
USS Indianapolis
  • Jackie Dale Griffin, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 31

Suggested Readings for the name Griffin +

  • Gershom & Phoebe Griffin, Their Ancestors and Descendants by Elaine Washburn Olney.
  • A Griffin and Related Families History by Paul E. Griffin.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  13. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  18. Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Brampton
  21. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  27. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  28. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  29. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  30. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
  31. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew

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