Griffin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Griffin surname is derived from the Welsh personal names Griffin, Gruffin, or Griffith. These were pet-forms of the Middle Welsh name Gruffudd, which was borne by many Welshprinces. The name came to Ireland in the 12th century with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Strongbow. There was also a native Irish line whose name originally appeared in Gaelic as O Gríobhtha, which is derived from the word “gríobhtha,” which means “griffin-like.” It is thought that most of the bearers of the Griffith variant of the name are of Welsh ancestry.

Early Origins of the Griffin family

The surname Griffin was first found in the province of Munster, where they had been granted lands by Strongbow after the Anglo Norman invasion into Ireland in 1172.

Early History of the Griffin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Griffin research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1st , 10, and 1710 are included under the topic Early Griffin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Griffin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Griffin, O’Griffin, Griffen, O’Griffen, Griffith, Griffey, Griffy, O’Griffy and many more.

Early Notables of the Griffin family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Griffin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Griffin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Griffin is the 98^th most popular surname with an estimated 208,908 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Griffin is ranked the 578^thmost popular surname with an estimated 8,607 people with that name. [2] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Griffin is the 266^th popular surname with an estimated 166 people with that name. [3] Australia ranks Griffin as 264^th with 12,877 people. [4] New Zealand ranks Griffin as 223^rd with 2,572 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks Griffin as 231^st with 25,151 people. [6]

 Griffin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Griffin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Reginald Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1621 [7]
• Rise Griffin, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “Flying Hart” [7]
• Thomas Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 [7]
• John Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 [7]
• 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 [7]
• Humphrey Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1712 [7]
• Henry Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [7]
• Ambrose Griffin, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [7]
• Andrew Griffin, who landed in Virginia in 1715 [7]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)