Show ContentsGreathouse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Greathouse surname comes from the Low German words "grot(h)," meaning "large," or "great," and "haus," meaning "house;" thus the name may have been topographic, for someone who lived in or by a large house or farmstead,

Early Origins of the Greathouse family

The surname Greathouse was first found in East Prussia, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status. They were originally seated in Courland and Livonia in the 13th century.

Early History of the Greathouse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greathouse research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1627 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Greathouse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greathouse Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Groethausen, Groithausen, Grothusen, Grothaus, Gothuss and many more.

Early Notables of the Greathouse family

More information is included under the topic Early Greathouse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greathouse Ranking

In the United States, the name Greathouse is the 4,475th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


United States Greathouse migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Greathouse Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Chas. A. Greathouse, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1904
  • Ema Ribeyre Greathouse, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
  • Thomas Greathouse, aged 39, who settled in America in 1915

Contemporary Notables of the name Greathouse (post 1700) +

  • Clarence Ridgely Greathouse (1846-1899), American journalist, lawyer, and diplomat who lead the investigation into the murder of Queen Min in October 1895
  • William Marvin Greathouse (1919-2011), American minister and emeritus general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene
  • Kyle "Cage" Greathouse (b. 1984), American professional basketball player
  • Michael Greathouse (b. 1969), American artist
  • Shiloh Greathouse, American professional skateboarder
  • Elery "Ed" Guy Greathouse (b. 1899), American boxer who competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics
  • Ray Greathouse (d. 1919), American Forest Service district ranger, and WWI soldier, for whom Greathouse Peak in the Snowy Mountains of Montana is named
  • Duane Greathouse, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1956, 1960, 1964 2
  • Charles A. Greathouse, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Indiana, 1929; Secretary of Democratic National Committee, 1929 2
  • Asa B. Greathouse, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1920, 1924, 1928 2


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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