Surname Griswold - Meaning and Origin

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Griswold: What does the surname Griswold mean?

Griswold is a surname with English origins and it is considered a geographical surname. The name is derived from the old English words "grise," meaning "pig," and "welle" or "wold," indicating "a spring, brook or well," or "wooded area" respectively. Therefore, Griswold may imply someone who lived by a wooded spot or a well where pigs were raised. It is believed to have first originated in the Norfolk area of England before being taken to America by English settlers. As with many surnames, further meanings are only speculative since definitive translations of ancient languages can be challenging. The Griswold name gained considerable fame in the United States through the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, featuring a bumbling but lovable father character named Clark W. Griswold, portrayed by Chevy Chase. However, it is also the name of several real-life American towns and noteworthy individuals.

Griswold: Where does the name Griswold come from?

The surname Griswold is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old Norse elements "gris" meaning "pig" and "valdr" meaning "rule." Griswold was first found in Lincolnshire, England where they were granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name then began to spread to other parts of the UK, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and others.

In terms of its distribution today, the last name Griswold has predominantly found a home in the United States, especially in the northeastern states such as New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut. This is largely due to migration patterns during the 17th and 18th centuries when families from the United Kingdom sought better opportunities in the New World. Some Griswold families also settled in Canada during this period. In Europe, the surname still exists but it is not as prevalent as in North America. Overall, it remains a relatively uncommon surname globally.

Variations of the surname Griswold

The surname Griswold has several variants based on regional pronunciation and historical documentation. It's an English surname, originating from a place named Grim's Hill in England. Variants include Griswald, Griswould, Grieswald, and Grieswold. Some other versions include Grissold, Gryswold and Grisewood.

Misinterpretation and misspelling over time and across geographies led to these variations. The surname Griswold and its variants might have been modified as per local dialects and accents when English-speaking people traveled or migrated to different parts of the world.

Sometimes, the surname is also spelled differently in legal documents or census records based on phonetic spelling by the documenting officials, creating multiple spellings for the same surname. These various versions help in tracing the migration, and the spread of families carrying this surname.

Besides, there are also the compound surnames formed by combining Griswold with other words, such as Griswold-Smith or Griswold-Jones, typically indicating a blend of maternal and paternal lineages.

The surname, however, primarily remains Griswold and is widely recognized and retained by the descendants across the globe. Variations can be observed, but they are less common.

Famous people with the name Griswold

• Clark W. Griswold: A fictional character portrayed by Chevy Chase in the "National Lampoon's Vacation" film series.
• Edward Griswold: The former president of Yale University.
• Rufus W. Griswold: An American anthologist, editor, poet, and critic during the 19th century.
• Lewis Griswold: A notable journalist for the Fresno Bee.
• Todd Griswold: Former hockey player of the Carleton Place Canadians and now famous sports producer.
• Dwight Griswold: An American politician who served as Governor of Nebraska and U.S. Senator.
• Matthew Griswold: An American Revolutionary War patriot who became the 17th Governor of Connecticut.
• Roger Griswold: An American lawyer and politician, son of Matthew Griswold, and Governor of Connecticut.
• Stan Griswold: A long-time radio host based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Charlie Griswold: An American philosophy professor at Boston University.
• Katherine Seymour Day Griswold: An American preservationist and great-niece of Harriet Beecher Stowe.
• Francis Griswold: Was the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon.
• Frank F. Griswold: The 25th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Other surnames

GaalGaalayGaalenGaaleyGaalyGaarmannGabbardGabberGabbertGabeGabehartGabelGäbelGabelbergerGabeleGäbeleGäbeleinGabelenzGabelerGäbelerGabellGabelmannGabelsbergerGabeltGäbeltGabeneschGabenischGabenneschGaberle