Greer is a name of Scottish roots that became firmly established among the families of Ulster.
Where does the Greer name come from?
Greer is a contracted form of MacGregor or Gregor, ultimately from the personal name Gregory — from a Greek word meaning “watchful” or “vigilant.” It developed in Scotland and is closely related to the names Grier and Grierson.
Greer in Ireland
The name came to the north of Ireland during the period of Scottish settlement in the seventeenth century and became well established in Ulster, where Greer families have long been part of the life of the province. Today Greer is found across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Greene, Grove, and Barry.
Carry the Greer name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Greer collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greer an Irish surname?
Greer is found in Ireland chiefly as an Ulster name of Scottish origin, established through northern settlement.
What does Greer mean?
It is a contracted form of MacGregor, from the personal name Gregory, meaning “watchful” or “vigilant.”
Is there a Greer family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Greer products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.