Griffiths

Origin and Meaning: Griffiths is a Welsh surname of patronymic origin, derived from the personal name Griffith, which itself is of Welsh origin. The name Griffith is derived from the Old Welsh name "Gruffudd" meaning 'strong lord' or 'prince'. It is a popular surname in Wales and is considered one of the most common surnames in the country.

History: The Griffiths surname can be traced back to medieval Wales, where it was used as a personal name before becoming a hereditary surname. The name was borne by several notable figures in Welsh history, including rulers, princes, and warriors.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, many individuals with the surname Griffiths emigrated from Wales to other parts of the British Isles and beyond, leading to the spread of the surname to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants: Variants of the Griffiths surname include Griffith, Gruffudd, Gruffydd, Griffin, and Griffen.

Famous Individuals:

  • Nina Griffiths: British actress known for her work in television and film.
  • Sir Ralph Griffiths: 18th-century English journalist and publisher, best known for his work on "The Monthly Review".
  • Gareth Griffiths: Welsh poet and author, known for his contributions to Welsh literature.

Trivia:

  • The Griffiths name is associated with strength and nobility in Welsh culture, reflecting the meaning of the original personal name "Gruffudd".
  • The popularity of the Griffiths surname in Wales has led to the formation of various Griffiths family associations and societies dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of the name.

The Griffiths surname continues to be a prominent and widely recognized Welsh surname, reflecting the rich history and cultural heritage of Wales.

There are approximately 95,337 people named Griffiths in the UK. That makes it the 57th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,464 in a million people in Britain are named Griffiths.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Wales

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Welsh

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Julie
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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