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Griffin (surname)

Griffin is a surname of primarily Irish origin. Griffin was the 75th most common surname on the island of Ireland in 1891. It was estimated in 2000 that Griffin is the 114th most common surname in the U.S., with a population in the order of two hundred thousand.

Griffin in Ireland

The surname "Griffin" has a number of sources in Ireland.

Uí Ghríofa

The spelling Ó Gríofa (male) or Ní Ghríofa (female) is associated with the Co. Clare family, whose surname was also anglicised as O'Griffey or O'Griffy. Ó Gríofa translates to English as "descendant of the Griffin-like".

Prior to the Irish spelling review, Ó Gríofa was spelt Ó Gríobhtha. The Ó Gríofa were chieftains of the Cineal Cuallachta branch of the Dál gCais, or Dalcassians, with their castle at Ballygriffy located in North Ballygriffey, Dysert (formerly the barony of Inchiquin). The Ó Gríofa are of the same stock as the O'Deas and the O'Quins, who belong to the Uí Fhearmaic.

The surname appears in the 14th-century medieval Gaelic chronicle Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh (“The Triumphs of Turlough”), written around 1310–1320, which records the wars of Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain (Turlough O’Brien), King of Thomond. The chronicle mentions a notable figure, Tomás mac Urthaile Ó Gríofa, who acted as both a military leader and diplomatic envoy, commissioned to negotiate on behalf of the Dalcassians with the Anglo-Norman de Clare family. This reference highlights the family's significant status in medieval Irish politics and warfare.

County Kerry Griffins

County Kerry Griffins are descendants of Gallowglasses who fought in the Desmond Rebellions against the English.

Griffith

In Ireland, the surname Griffin can also be associated with the Welsh surname "Griffith", but to a much lesser degree.

Griffin in Wales

The surname "Griffin" in Wales, generally speaking, is a variant of the surname "Griffith", or other similar Welsh names.

Notable people with the surname

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  • Nick Griffin (born 1959), former chairman of the British National Party
  • Nonnie Griffin (1933–2019), Canadian stage actress

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Griffey

  • Anthony Dean Griffey (born 1970), American operatic tenor
  • Carolyn Griffey (born 1969), American soul vocalist and member of the soul funk group Shalamar
  • Dan Griffey (born 1970), American politician
  • Dick Griffey (1938–2010), American record producer and promoter, father of Carolyn Griffey
  • Ken Griffey Jr. (born 1969), former Major League Baseball player
  • Ken Griffey Sr. (born 1950), former Major League Baseball player, father of Ken Griffey Jr.

Fictional characters with the surname

See also

References

  • O'Laughlin, M. C. (1997). "The Book of Irish Families Great & Small". Irish Genealogical Foundation
  • Matheson, R. E. (1891). "Special Report on Surnames in Ireland"
  • Williams, M. (1996) "Researching Local History"
  • U.S. Census Bureau (1990), Population Division, Population Analysis & Evaluation Staff
  • Standish Hayes O’Grady (ed.), Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh, Irish Texts Society, 1929.