Contents [hide]

Greer History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Greer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The old Scottish-Dalriadan name Greer is derived from the given name Gregor. The personal name Gregor, which is the Scottish form of Gregory, is derived from the Latin name "Gregorius" and from the Late Greek name "Gregorios," which mean alert, watchful, or vigilant.

Early Origins of the Greer family

The surname Greer was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Greer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greer research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1542, 1598 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Greer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greer Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of Greer include Greer, Grier, Grear, Grerar, Greir, Greerr, Grearr and many more.

Early Notables of the Greer family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Greer of Dumfriesshire

Greer Ranking

In the United States, the name Greer is the 426^th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 1 However, in New Zealand, the name Greer is ranked the 668^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,057 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Greer family to Ireland

Some of the Greer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Greer migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Greer were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Greer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jane Greer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 3

Greer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew Greer and his family landed in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1763
Jacob Greer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 3
Gerrard Greer, who arrived in America in 1795 3

Greer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hannah Greer, aged 12, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 3
Mary Greer, aged 14, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 3
Sarah Greer, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 3
Nathan Greer, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 3
Robert Greer, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1819 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Greer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Greer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Greer, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
Betty Greer, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834

Greer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Greer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Daniel Greer, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Mr. Thomas Greer, (Brueton), (b. 1804), aged 27, Irish brick layer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 16th August 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Mr. Thomas Greer, (b. 1815), aged 22, British Labourer who was convicted in Lancaster, England for 14 years forstealing, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1867 6
Mr. Thomas Greer, (b. 1830), aged 33, Irish labourer travelling from Queenstown, Ireland aboard the ship "Golden Empire" arriving in Brisbane, Australia in July 1863 7

Greer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Greer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Greer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Norfolk" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in August 1851 8
Mr. Greer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 9
Mrs. Greer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 9
Miss Isabella Greer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 9
Miss Mary Greer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Greer (post 1700) +

Judy Greer (b. 1975), born Judith Laura Evans, American Annie Award nominated actress, known for playing Kitty Sanchez on the Fox/Netflix series Arrested Development
Frank Greer (1878-1943), American Olympic gold medalist for rowing at the 1904 Summer Games
Jane Greer (1924-2001), American film and television actress, best known for her role as Kathie Moffat in the 1947 Out of the Past
James Greer, American novelist, screenwriter, musician, and critic, known for his work on The Spy Next Door (2010), Max Keeble's Big Move (2001) and Just My Luck (2006)
Jabari Amin Greer (b. 1982), American NFL football cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
David Hummell Greer (1844-1919), American Protestant Episcopal bishop from Wheeling, Virginia
George W. Greer (b. 1942), retired United States judge, Circuit Court Judge for Florida (1992-2010)
Robert William "Dabbs" Greer (1917-2007), American actor who appeared in 308 titles, best known for his role as the Reverend Robert Alden in NBC's Little House on the Prairie and his role in the Green Mile (1999)
Charlie Greer (1923-1996), American radio personality in Akron, Ohio
Breaux Greer (b. 1976), American gold medalist javelin thrower at the 2004 World Athletics Final
... (Another 76 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Greer Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Memor esto
Motto Translation: Be mindful.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
The Ships List Passenger Lists Ship Golden Empire (Retrieved 26th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.ozlists.com/genies/shipping/special_lists/s_golden_empire.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html