Griffith Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Griffith last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
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Meaning and origin of the Griffith last name
Meaning of the Griffith last name: from the personal name Gruffudd. Griffith comes from the Welsh personal name Gruffudd, probably meaning "strong lord". It was borne by medieval Welsh princes and was one of the most popular names in Wales. The surname is most common in the north, while Griffiths is the usual form in the south. A curious detail: Arthur Griffith, founder of the Irish party Sinn Féin, shows how far the name travelled.
Arms associated with the Griffith name
In English heraldry, arms belonged to one person at a time and passed down to the eldest son, so different Griffith lines used their own versions.
Get your full Griffith family history
This is only a glimpse of the Griffith story. The full Griffith history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Griffith coat of arms. Get the full Griffith report.
Griffith name FAQ
What does the Griffith name mean?
From the personal name Gruffudd. Common variants include Griffiths, Gruffydd, Griffin.
Where does the Griffith surname come from?
It originates in Wales, and is also found in England, the United States and Australia.
Is there a Griffith coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Griffith coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.