Grugen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Grugen

What does the name Grugen mean?

All Irish surnames have a unique and often romantic meaning. The name Grugen originally appeared in Gaelic as "O Grugain," which is derived from either "gruag," which means "hair," and "grug," which means "fierceness."

Early Origins of the Grugen family

The surname Grugen was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Grugen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grugen research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Grugen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grugen Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name Grugen family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include Grogan, O'Grogan, Grogen, Groogen, Grugen, Groggan, O'Groogan and many more.

Early Notables of the Grugen family

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

Migration of the Grugen family

Thousands of Irish left in their homeland in the 18th and 19th centuries to escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, and in the search of a plot of land to call their own. These immigrants arrived at the eastern shores of North America, early on settling and breaking the land, and, later, building the bridges, canals, and railroads essential to the emerging nations of United States and Canada. Many others would toil for low wages in the dangerous factories of the day. Although there had been a steady migration of Irish to North America over these years, the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name Grugen or a variant listed above: Alexander Grogan settled in Virginia in 1652; Charles, James, Jeremiah, John, Michael, Nathaniel Grogan, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.

The Grugen 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: Honor et virtus
Motto Translation: Honour and virtue.