Surname Grinnel - Meaning and Origin
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Grinnel: What does the surname Grinnel mean?
The surname Grinnel is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a geographical locality. It is based on the Old English elements "grene," meaning "green," and "hyll," which means "hill". So, Grinnel metaphorically refers to an individual living by a green hill. It's also thought to have originated from the town of Granville in the Manche region of France; Norman settlers brought the name to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over time, the spelling changed, and different variants such as Grinnell and Greenhill emerged. Like many surnames, relocations, local dialects, and even illiteracy contributed to variations in its spelling. Each version of the surname has experienced changes over centuries, and a diversity of spellings exist today. Aside from its geographical associations, the name Grinnel doesn't have a specific connotation or symbolic meaning. It should be noted that last names often served to identify a person by their trade, place of origin, or other specific characteristic during their inception, and the surname Grinnel is no different in this aspect.
Order DNA origin analysisGrinnel: Where does the name Grinnel come from?
The surname Grinnel is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily traced back to England. It is believed to be a variation of the name "Greenhill," given to residents living near a green hill. The Grinnel name is categorized under habitation names, derived from pre-existing names that identified towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Over the years, the name's spelling changed due to an assortment of factors including linguistic differences, spelling errors and changes in dialect. Variations of the Grinnel surname include Grinnell, Grennell, Grunnell, and others.
The United States, specifically in regions of New England, have a higher concentration of the name, thanks to the immigration of individuals bearing the Grinnell surname during the 18th and 19th centuries. Notably, the city of Grinnell in Iowa, United States, was named after Josiah Bushnell Grinnell, a significant settler. Despite the historical English origins, the name is not widely recognized in the United Kingdom today.
Variations of the surname Grinnel
The surname Grinnel has a few variants that include different spellings and phonetic similarities, due to regional differences and shifts over time. The main variants of the surname "Grinnel" include Grinnell, Grynall, Grynell, Grinel, and Grynnell.
It's important to note that many surnames have evolved or changed over time due to various factors such as immigration, literacy rates, and phonetic shifts. As a result, some of these versions might not be readily recognized but they can be traced back to the original surname of Grinnel.
The surname Grinnel, along with its variants, originated in England, particularly in the county of Somerset. It's a locational surname which means it is derived from the location where the original bearer once lived or held land. In this case, the surname Grinnel comes from Grenville, a town in Somerset. Many Grenvilles later migrated to the new world (America), where the name variations like Grinnell became more established.
The surname Grinnel and its derivatives are relatively uncommon and could have possibly developed other less known versions throughout history.
Famous people with the name Grinnel
- John Grinnel: an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer.
- Charles Grinnel: an American zoologist.
- Ellen Grinnell: an American composer and musician.
- Jean Grinnell: an American suffragist and reformer.
- George Grinnel: an American journalist and author.
- William Grinnel: an American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Herbert Grinnell: an American politician and member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
- William Grinnell: an American magistrate and lawyer.
- Harry Grinnell: an American football player.
- Charles Grinnell: an American chiropractic physician.