Surname Grieff - Meaning and Origin

Grieff: What does the surname Grieff mean?

The last name Grieff is thought to be of German origin and is a variant spelling of the surname Griep, meaning “grasp” or “firm hand.” It is possible that those with this surname were people who had a reputation for having a strong grip in life—that they worked hard and had an exaggerated devotion to their goals. The Grieff surname implies a strong will and a determined nature in its bearer. Additionally, this surname is thought to have originated from an old German word 'gripf', which meant “one who was daring or brave.”

The Grieff name is also popular in some other countries, particularly in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, but its meaning remains the same. Historical records suggest that the Grieff surname has been around in Germany since the 17th century, and the name is likely of even longer history due to the prominence of the term in older German language works.

Overall, the surname Grieff has a long and proud history that denotes a unique and driven individual in whatever background and environment they find themselves. It is indicative of a hard worker and tells a story of tremendous commitment to success and determination. The proud bearer of this name can rest assured that their strong will and grip on life will carry them to their goals.

Grieff: Where does the name Grieff come from?

The last name Grieff is most commonly found in countries that make up part of the German Diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Within these countries, Grieff families are concentrated in areas of heavy German immigration, such as the Midwest, Great Plains and Pacific Northwest of the United States, as well as parts of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba in Canada.

In the United States, Grieff is particularly prevalent in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Texas. It is also quite common in Oklahoma, where German settlers made up a large percentage of the population in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In Canada, Grieff is most predominant in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. This could be related to the Mennonite settlements that existed in these provinces during the late 19th century farm boom, which saw numerous German families arrive in search of agricultural opportunities.

Overall, the last name Grieff is most commonly found today in the countries that make up part of the German Diaspora, as well as in areas of heavy German immigration. The states and provinces where the name is most prominent speak to the rich history of German settlers in these regions.

Variations of the surname Grieff

Grieff is a German, Dutch, and Ashkenazi Jewish surname that is an altered spelling of the name Greif. Other variants of the surname include Grieffenstein, Greiff, Greifenstein, Greiffenstein, Graeff, Greeff, Greif, and Greve. The surname essentially describes someone who is brave, daring, or bold since the word ‘greif’ in German and Dutch translates to English as ‘griffin’ or ‘gryphon’, a mythical creature associated with strength and courage.

The spelling of Grieff, Greif, and Greeff are most commonly seen in families of German and Dutch origin. Spellings of Greiff and Greiffenstein are more common among those of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. Graeff and Greifenstein are alternative spellings that may be found within families of either German or Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

The surname Grieff may also be found in different regions around the world as a result of migration in different waves of history. For example, many German and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from Europe moved to North America throughout the 19th century, while over the past fifty-years, there has been a significant migration of Jewish people from the Middle East to North America, Europe, and Australia. As a result, the surnames Grieff, Greif, and Greiff may now be found in a variety of different countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Grieff

• Heidi Klum Grieff: Model, Television Personality, and Businesswoman
• Pia Grieff: Actress
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Grieff: German Writer, Poet, Novelist, Philosopher
• Johan Adolphe Grieff: Dutch Cartographer and Geographer
• Erich Grieff: Actor
• Tara Grieff: Actress
• Peter Grieff: Actor
• Lina Grieff: Singer
• Carl Grieff: Actor
• Corinne Grieff: Writer and Director

Other surnames

Grief