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The Griffo 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.
The surname Griffo 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Griffo research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1710 is included under the topic Early Griffo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Griffin, O'Griffin, Griffen, O'Griffen, Griffith, Griffey, Griffy, O'Griffy and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Griffo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: George Griffin who settled in St. Christopher in 1633 and later moved to Virginia; Hugh Griffin settled in Virginia in 1649; Catherine and Margaret Griffin settled in Virginia in 1663.