Surname Gratton - Meaning and Origin

Gratton: What does the surname Gratton mean?

The surname Gratton is of French origin, derived from the Old French "grat", meaning gravel or pebble, and the suffix "-on" which can often denote a location. Thus, it is often considered as a geographical surname, given to someone who lived in a gravelly place or on gravelly ground. Like other surnames, the spelling could vary over time and based on location, with instances of different variants including Grat, Grate, Graton, and Grattan. The surname was first seen in Burgundy, a historical territory in east-central France. Following the Norman Conquest, many with this surname migrated to England and Ireland where it became prominent. It's important to note that not all people with the last name Gratton can be traced back to France, as name adoption could occur based on various reasons such as occupation, residence, or personal characteristics.

Gratton: Where does the name Gratton come from?

The last name Gratton is of French origin. It comes from an old French word "grat," meaning thin or slim, so it may have originally been a nickname for a slim person. The name initially appeared in Burgundy, a historical region in east-central France.

Through immigration and dispersal, many people with this surname have settled in different parts of the world. Today, Gratton is most common in Canada, particularly in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province, due to the emigration of many French individuals in the 16th and 17th centuries. It also appears in significant numbers in the United States, England, and France.

However, please note that surnames can be subject to regional variation and spelling alterations due to changes in language and societal structures over the centuries. Consequently, many different forms of this surname might be encountered, each with its unique lineage and history.

Variations of the surname Gratton

The surname Gratton is believed to have French origins, stemming from the Old French word “graton,” meaning "a scraper" or "a ditch." It may have begun as a nickname for a digger or grave digger. The name Gratton may also have locational origins from Gratton in Derbyshire or from the village of Gratot in Normandy, France.

Variations and similar spellings of the name Gratton include Gration, Grattan, Grattoni, Grauton, and Graton. These variations may be due to regional dialects and differing spellings throughout history, as well as the evolution of language over time.

Also, when French surnames were anglicized, many took on different forms, contributing to the variety of spellings. For instance, Gratton could also likely be a variant of the Irish surname Grattan, which was originally Ó Grádaigh or Ó Gráda, meaning "descendant of Gráda (noble)." However, this connection can only be established through genealogical research on a case-by-case basis.

Therefore, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gratton are essentially language-specific and region-specific transformations of the name, further adapted as per personal preferences over time.

Famous people with the name Gratton

• Michel Gratton: He was a well-known political press secretary in Canada, serving Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
• Jean Gratton: A famous Catholic bishop in Canada, better recognized as the Bishop Emeritus of Mont-Laurier.
• Chris Gratton: A former professional ice hockey player from Canada. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, and Phoenix Coyotes.
• Mike Gratton: A long distance runner from Great Britain. He is best known for winning the 1983 London Marathon.
• Josh Gratton: A Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who played in the National Hockey League, and is the younger brother of Chris Gratton.
• Maxime Gratton: A Canadian contemporary artist who works with a variety of mediums, including painting and audiovisual installations.
• François Gratton: An executive vice-president at TELUS and partner at the Canadian telecommunications company.
• Grantley "Daddy G" Marshall (Born as Grantley Evan Marshall ): A British musician, best known as a founding member of Massive Attack, but "Gratton" is a nickname from his surname Marshall.
• Brian and Bruce Gratton: Brothers from Michigan who both briefly played in the NHL in the 1970s.

Other surnames

GaalGaalayGaalenGaaleyGaalyGaarmannGabbardGabberGabbertGabeGabehartGabelGäbelGabelbergerGabeleGäbeleGäbeleinGabelenzGabelerGäbelerGabellGabelmannGabelsbergerGabeltGäbeltGabeneschGabenischGabenneschGaberle