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 Gaelic sources in Ireland.

Ó Gríofa

The spelling Ó Gríofa or Ní Ghríofa 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 . The Ó Gríofa were chieftains of the branch of the , or Dalcassians, with their castle at located in North Ballygriffey, Dysert. The Ó Gríofa are of the same stock as the O'Deas and the O'Quins, who belong to the Cineal Fearmaic, or more appropriately, the .

Ó Grifín

The "Ó Grifín" / "Ní Ghrifín" spelling belongs to the Kerry family.

Ó Grálaigh

A surname also anglicised as Greally and Grealey, among others. Found along the Mayo, Roscommon and Galway border.
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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