Griffen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The Griffen surname is derived from the Welsh personal names Griffin, Gruffin, or Griffith. These were pet-forms of the Middle Welsh name Gruffudd, which was borne by many Welsh princes. The name came to Ireland in the 12th century with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Strongbow. There was also a native Irish line whose name originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Gríobhtha, which is derived from the word "gríobhtha," which means "griffin-like." 1 It is thought that most of the bearers of the Griffith variant of the name are of Welsh ancestry.

Early Origins of the Griffen family

The surname Griffen was first found in the province of Munster, where they had been granted lands by Strongbow after the Anglo Norman invasion into Ireland in 1172.

Early History of the Griffen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Griffen research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1710 is included under the topic Early Griffen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Griffen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Griffin, O'Griffin, Griffen, O'Griffen, Griffith, Griffey, Griffy, O'Griffy and many more.

Early Notables of the Griffen family

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

Griffen Ranking

In the United States, the name Griffen is the 5,449^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2

Griffen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Griffen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Bridges Griffen, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 3
Dorothy Griffen, who landed in Virginia in 1654 3
Joan Griffen, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 3
William Griffen, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 3
William Griffen, who landed in Virginia in 1654 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Griffen, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1768 3
Peter Griffen, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1768 3

Griffen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Griffen Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Robert Griffen, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Private Charles Griffen U.E., "Griffin" born in Conneticut, USA from Castleton, Vermont, USA who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c. 1784 he served in Jessup's Corps, married to Catherine Wisebury they had 4 children 4

Griffen migration to Australia +

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

Griffen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Griffen, French convict from Valenciennes, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 5
Miss Catherine Griffen, (b. 1803), aged 34, Irish house servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Miss Mary Griffen, English convict who was convicted in Clerkenwell, London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 22nd January 1846, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
Michael Griffen, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella" 8

Griffen 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:

Griffen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Ellen Griffen, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1878

Contemporary Notables of the name Griffen (post 1700) +

William Davenport Griffen (1894-1986), American artist, and muralist
Harold Winslow "Hal" Griffen (b. 1902), American football offensive lineman and coach in the National Football League
Anders Griffen, American drummer, composer, and trumpet player
Everson Griffen (b. 1987), American football defensive end
William L. Griffen, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York, 1968 (35th District), 1990 (25th District) 9
Joel T. Griffen, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Omaha, Nebraska, 1872 9
Daniel Griffen (1900-1982), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 9th District, 1964 9
Chauncey B. Griffen, American Republican politician, Mayor of White Plains, New York, 1932-33 9
April Griffen, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 2008 9
Thomas Sydney Griffen (1884-1950), Australian rugby union player
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Griffen 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: Ne vile Velis
Motto Translation: Wishing nothing base.