Griffith is a name of Welsh roots that became part of Irish family life, with a famous place in Irish history.
Where does the Griffith name come from?
Griffith comes from the old Welsh personal name Gruffudd, combining elements understood to mean something like “strong lord” or “strong grip.” It is one of the great traditional names of Wales and became a surname carried far beyond it. It is closely related to the Irish name Griffin in some uses.
Griffith in Ireland
The name came to Ireland with families of Welsh and English descent. It is well remembered through Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Féin and a leading figure in the founding of the Irish state, and through Richard Griffith, whose great land valuation of the nineteenth century remains a key source for family history. As a settled name, Griffith is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Griffith comes from the Welsh personal name Gruffudd.
- It is understood to mean something like “strong lord.”
- Arthur Griffith was a founder of Sinn Féin and the Irish state.
- Richard Griffith’s land valuation is a key family-history source.
- The name survives today in Ireland and across the diaspora.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Gough, Gwynn, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Griffith an Irish surname?
Griffith is of Welsh origin and became a settled name in Ireland, with a notable place in Irish history.
What does Griffith mean?
It comes from the Welsh Gruffudd, understood to mean something like “strong lord.”