Gruenspan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Gruenspan

What does the name Gruenspan mean?

The surname Gruenspan is etymologically derived from "gruen" meaning "green." It is thought that the name Gruenspan may have been of occupational origin for a chemist who specialized in working with verdigris, a basic acetate of copper used as a green pigment or dye. Alternatively, Gruenspan may have been of nickname origin. Here the name would likely indicate somebody who liked to wear green clothes. And finally, the name may also derive from the Middle Low German "grone" or "groen" meaning "greedy for."

Early Origins of the Gruenspan family

The surname Gruenspan was first found in the southwest corner of Germany where the name has been found in records dating from the 13th century. The earliest found citing of this name shows that Frater (brother) Cuonrad, a monk called Grueni, lived in Heiligkreuztal, near Saulgau, in the year 1286. Other early records of this name include Johann Christof von der Gruen, a councilor of the Kurpfalz (an area in southwest Germany).

Early History of the Gruenspan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gruenspan research. The year 1749 is included under the topic Early Gruenspan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gruenspan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gruen, Gruenauer, Gruenbacher, Gruenberger, Gruenhut, Gruenmann, Gruenspan and many more.

Early Notables of the Gruenspan family

Notables with the surname Gruenspan during this period were

Dietmar Heinrich Gruenspan, who was a councillor of the Duke of Sayn Hachenburg in 1749

Migration of the Gruenspan family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Christoph Gruen who went to North America in 1777; Hienrich Gruen who came to North America in 1783; Johann Gruen who sailed to North America in 1737. Franz Gruen settled in Texas in 1845 and Friedrich Gruen immigrated to North America in 1832 at the age of 2. James Gruen settled in Ontario in 1871.