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Griffiths History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Griffiths History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales-Alt
Wales

The name Griffiths is from the rugged landscape of Wales. It is a Celtic name that was 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 most prominent of these was Griffith ap Cynan, the King of North Wales and the founder of the first Royal tribe of Wales; he was the eldest son of Rhodri Mawr, the first recorded King of Wales.

Early Origins of the Griffiths family

The surname Griffiths was first found in Chirk, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, descended from the ancient Princes of Wales.

Early History of the Griffiths family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Griffiths research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1332 and 1392 are included under the topic Early Griffiths History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Griffiths Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Griffith, Griffiths, Gryffudd, Gryffuths and others.

Early Notables of the Griffiths family

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

Griffiths World Ranking

In the United States, the name Griffiths is the 2,821^st most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Griffiths is ranked the 888^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,018 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Griffiths is the 659^th popular surname with an estimated 67 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Griffiths as 125^th with 21,553 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Griffiths as 145^th with 3,427 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Griffiths as 58^th with 74,163 people. 6

Griffiths migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Griffiths Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Griffith Griffiths, who settled in Virginia in 1663

Griffiths Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Griffiths, who landed in Carolina in 1709 7
Samuel Griffiths, who arrived in America in 1715-1716 7
Ann Griffiths, who arrived in America in 1764 7

Griffiths Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Griffiths, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 7
Edward Griffiths, who arrived in New York in 1845 7
J Griffiths, aged 48, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847 7
Evan Griffiths, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 7
R R Griffiths, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffiths migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Griffiths Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Griffiths, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
William Griffiths, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ann Griffiths, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ms. Rebecca Griffiths U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbor, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 8
Ms. Anne Griffiths U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbor, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffiths Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Griffiths, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1814
Thomas Griffiths, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
Biddy Griffiths, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
John Griffiths, who arrived in Esquimalt British Columbia in 1862

Griffiths migration to Australia +

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

Griffiths Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Elizabeth Griffiths, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9

Griffiths Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Rachel Griffiths, (b. 1786), aged 17, Welsh convict who was convicted in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1849 10
Miss Rachel Griffiths, (b. 1786), aged 18, British convict who was convicted in England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 2nd January 1804, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
John Griffiths, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Elizabeth Griffiths, (b. 1792), aged 20, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Emu" in October 1812, the ship was captured and the passengers put ashore, the convicts were then transported aboard the "Broxburnebury" in January 1812 arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1832 13
Mr. Harry Griffiths, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffiths 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:

Griffiths Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas H Griffiths, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 15
John Griffiths, aged 22, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Lucy Griffiths, aged 22, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Simeon George Griffiths, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mr. John Griffiths, (b. 1820), aged 22, British shepherd and gardener travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Griffiths migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Griffiths Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Richard Griffiths, (Griffs), aged 24 who settled in Barbados in 1634 aboard the ship "Hopewell"

Contemporary Notables of the name Griffiths (post 1700) +

W. M. Griffiths, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 50th District, 1939-50 18
Stephen D. Griffiths (b. 1894), American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Macon County, 1945-48 18
Thomas C. Griffiths, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington at-large, 1889 18
Rosalie Griffiths, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1980 18
Robert E. Griffiths, American politician, Mayor of Washington, Pennsylvania, 1933 18
R. C. Griffiths, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Tenerife, 1905 18
Percy Wilfred Griffiths (1893-1983), American Republican politician, Mayor of Marietta, Ohio, 1938-39; U.S. Representative from Ohio 15th District, 1943-49 18
Martha Wright Griffiths (1912-2003), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 1947; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1949-52 18
Marjorie M. Griffiths, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, 1940 18
John Lewis Griffiths (1855-1914), American Republican politician, Member of Indiana State House of Representatives, 1887; Indiana reporter of State courts, 1889-93; U.S. Consul in Liverpool, 1905-09; U.S. Consul General in London, 1909-14 18
... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Griffiths family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Leonard F Griffiths (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Eastbourne, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Clifford John Griffiths, British Petty Office Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. David J Griffiths, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Griffiths, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Isaac Griffiths, British Writer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 21
Mr. William Henry Griffiths, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 21
Mr. Guy Richmond Griffiths, Australian Midshipman from Australia, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21

HMS Royal Oak

James R. Griffiths (1921-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
Edward John Griffiths (1915-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. David Griffiths (b. 1852), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 23
Mr. James Griffiths (b. 1841), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 23

RMS Lusitania

Mr. John Humphrey Griffiths, English Chief Steward 3rd Class from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 24
Mr. William Henry Griffiths, English Refrigeration Greaser from Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Samuel Herman Griffiths, English Trimmer from Everton, Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Christopher William Griffiths, Welsh 2nd Class passenger residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 25

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Albert John Griffiths (b. 1892), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. David F. Griffiths (b. 1885), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Edward Griffiths (b. 1895), Welsh coal miner from Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Llewellyn Griffiths (b. 1881), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

USS Arizona

Mr. Robert Alfred Griffiths, American Electrician's Mate Third Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26

Victoria steamboat disaster

J. A. Griffiths, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881
Griffiths, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Emu
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
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
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, June 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html