Surname Griffiths - Meaning and Origin

Fascinating DNA Discovery: Unraveling the Griffiths Mystery Through iGENEA

My DNA report from iGENEA was a fascinating journey through time, unveiling unexpected corners of my heritage. The Griffiths surname, as it unfolds in my DNA, revealed surprising aspects of its journey through history.

H. Griffiths

Griffiths: What does the surname Griffiths mean?

The surname Griffiths is of Welsh origin, a patronymic surname derived from the personal name "Gruffudd" or "Gruffydd." The name Gruffudd was prevalent in the Middle Ages, meaning "chief" or "lord." Translated variants of Griffiths are found in Welsh as Gruffudd and in English as Griffin. The Welsh term "gri" means "fight" and "udd" means "chief," which could alternatively present the name as "war chief" or a "strong lord." The 's' at the end of Griffiths indicates "son of," hence Griffiths means "Son of Gruffudd" or "Son of the Lord." The name has been carried down through families for centuries and spread throughout the world, especially in Wales and England. Like many surnames, Griffiths became a popular last name during the medieval period as a way to distinguish people with the same first name within their local communities.

Griffiths: Where does the name Griffiths come from?

The last name Griffiths is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Welsh personal name "Gruffudd," which means chief or lord. The "s" at the end of the name signifies "son of", hence Griffiths essentially means "son of Gruffudd." This patronymic naming tradition was common in Wales where sons were identified by their father's names.

The Griffiths surname is most common today in Wales and in England, especially in areas bordering Wales such as Herefordshire and Shropshire. Significant numbers of Griffiths can also be found in other English-speaking countries due to historical emigration patterns. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the name remains most densely concentrated in its land of origin, Wales. In terms of frequency, Griffiths is ranked as the 64th most popular surname in England and Wales.

Variations of the surname Griffiths

The surname Griffiths is of Welsh origin and originated from the Old Welsh personal name "Gruffudd." Its variations and spellings include Griffith, Gruffydd, Gruffudd, Griffis, Griffies, Griffels, Griffeth, and Gruffud. This surname may also appear with an added "s" at the end as in Griffiths, Griffits, or Griffeths which indicate a son of Griffith.

The name was first found in Chirk where they held a family seat from ancient times. It's also often connected with the area of north East Wales, specifically the county of Clwyd. Despite these variations in spelling, they all originate from the same Welsh name, which indicates "strong lord" or "chief".

The name variation can often be linked to regional dialects and how the name was interpreted phonetically, particularly during the times where literacy wasn't common and names were often written down as they were heard. This led to the creation of these numerous variations that we see today. Furthermore, migration could also result in variations as the name would be adapted to fit new languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Griffiths

• Andy Griffiths: He is an Australian author of children's books, known for "The Day My Bum Went Psycho" and "Just!" series.
• Melanie Griffiths: Although her professional name is Melanie Griffith, she's an American actress known for "Working Girl" and "Body Double".
• Aaron Griffiths: He is a director known for his work in the realm of virtual reality.
• Hugh Griffiths: He is a reggae musician recognized for his baritone style.
• Alexandra Griffiths: She is a Canadian curler and a silver medalist at the 2019 World Junior Curling Championships.
• Brent Griffiths: He is an Australian former footballer who played as a defender for Wellington Phoenix FC.
• Charlotte Griffiths: She is a journalist who works as the Diary Editor for The Mail on Sunday.
• David Griffiths: He is a Welsh conductor and composer for choirs, orchestras, and instrumentalists.
• Emma Griffiths: She is an award-winning Australian journalist and radio presenter known for her work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
• Gwyn Griffiths: He was a Welsh author, Egyptologist, and human rights activist.
• Jaden Griffiths: She's an award-winning TV and radio presenter in South Africa.
• Karise Eden Griffiths: An Australian singer, she won the first series of The Voice Australia in 2012.

Other surnames

GriffithGriffitts