The surname Griffin can be of Welsh or English origin.Griffin is an anglicised form of Griffith,signifieing ‘what is fierce’;it is derived from the Old Welsh Gruffydd,composed of the elements ‘griff’,fierce and ‘udd’ chief,lord.It is a name derived from a local sign.During the Middle Ages when few people could read,it was common for business signs of past times to be simple signboards,which displayed a picture or even the article itself offered for sale.The English surname Griffin was given to someone who dwelled by the sign of the griffin;a fabulous creature half lion and half eagle.The English also gave the name as a nickname for a fierce or dangerous person.The name could also signify,from the Celtic-Latin,someone of ruddy complexion.The Irish also adopted the name as an anglicization of the Gaelic name O’Griobhtha,signifieing the ‘descendant of Griobhtha’,a personal name from ‘griobh’,gryphon.The name dates back to the tenth century were a Grifin is recorded in historical archives.One of the first forefathers to bring this name to America is that of a lady named Anne Griffin,who came to A…
Coat of arms: Gules,on a fesse or between three fusils …