GRIGGS
Griggs is a surname of English origin found predominantly in the British Isles. The name is historically linked to both English and Old Norse linguistic traditions.
Its earliest recorded form appears to derive from the Old Norse personal name Grigge, which translates literally to “a short person” or “dwarf.” As a nickname surname it was likely applied to an individual of diminutive stature or with other physical traits associated with a dwarf. Over time, the nickname evolved into a hereditary family name that has been passed through successive generations.
Alternative etymological roots connect the surname to the patronymic tradition applied to the male given name Greg, itself a diminutive of Gregory from the Greek verb gregorein, meaning “to be awake or watchful.” In Latin the name became Gregorius, which by folk etymology was associated with grex (genitive gregis), meaning “flock” or “herd,” and therefore interpreted as a Christian symbol of the good shepherd. The name gained prominence in the West through Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540 – 604), the first pope to bear the name Gregory. Early documentary evidence of its use in England dates from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries but earlier references exist in the fifteenth century, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332 where a Richard Gregson is recorded. Other patronymic forms noted in historical records include Grigson, Greggs, and Gricks.
The earliest definitive spelling of the family name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire dated 1327. The entry lists a William Griggesson, thus demonstrating the transition from Griggesson towards the modern Griggs. This period coincides with the reign of King Edward II, who is sometimes referred to as “the Father of the Navy” for his naval reforms during the years 1327 to 1377.
In the eighteenth century a notable bearer of the surname was Matthew Gregson (1749–1824), a distinguished upholsterer in Liverpool. Gregson was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries for his scholarly work, particularly his 1817 publications on history and antiquities.
Throughout the centuries the Griggs surname has maintained a strong presence in England, especially within the north‑east and the Midlands, reflecting its medieval origins and the enduring influence of both Norman and Norse settlers on the English onomastic landscape.
Typical given names associated with the Griggs surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Amanda
- Elizabeth
- Jennifer
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
- Wendy
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Griggs in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 4,722 people named Griggs in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,998th most common surname in Britain. Around 73 in a million people in Britain are named Griggs.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Griggs
- Nigel Griggs - Musician
- Paul Griggs - Singer
- Phil Griggs - Football player (1918 to 1980)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.