Surname Grimason - Meaning and Origin
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Grimason: What does the surname Grimason mean?
The last name Grimason is a variant of an old English surname that means "dweller by the grim wood,'" referring to a grove of trees. It is thought to have been first used in the Middle Ages, when it was adopted by families residing near such a wooded area.
The name Grimason can also be found in Scandinavian and Germanic countries, due to their shared linguistic and cultural influences. In fact, the spelling of Grimason in these countries is slightly different, and is usually spelt as Grimasson or Grimesson.
The basic meaning of the name has remained unchanged in most languages, which suggests that the Grimason surname is descended from an ancient form of the word. It is likely that the original meaning of the name was derived from a time when travelling and living in the countryside were much more common than they are today.
Regardless of its origin, the name Grimason is still used in many countries and families today. It is a simple yet powerful name and it carries with it a unique significance that is shared by those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisGrimason: Where does the name Grimason come from?
The surname Grimason is relatively uncommon today, with most Grimasons now living in the United States and Canada. The Grimason surname likely originated in Ireland, where it was first found in County Clare in the early 1800s.
The Grimason surname is found most often in North America today, specifically in the United States and Canada, along with a few occurrences in Australia and New Zealand. Records indicate that one of the first Grimasons to migrate to North America was a Patrick Grimason, who came to the United States from Ireland in the mid-1800s.
Today, Grimasons of Irish descent can be found in a variety of professions, from professional athletes to scientists and academics. There are generally fewer Grimasons living in Ireland and the UK today due to emigration and the large number of Irish emigrants who settled in North America during the 19th century.
While Grimason may not be as common a surname as it once was in its native Ireland, the name still exists, mostly in the United States and Canada. That’s not to say that there still isn’t a unique Grimason family out there somewhere, however, as many Grimasons of the past may have changed their last name to something more common or just forgotten about their family’s Irish lineages entirely.
Variations of the surname Grimason
Grimason is an English surname derived from the name Grima, which is thought to be of either German or Old Norse origin. It is believed to derive from the Old Norse name Grimr, meaning “angry” or “fierce”, which also became a byname for warriors.
Grimason is most often seen spelled as Grimmson, but other variants of this surname include Grimason, Grimson, Grimshon, Grimzin, Grimzinn, and Grimshawn.
Grimmson is the most common variation of the Grimason surname. It is believed to have originated in the Anglo-Saxon area of England and first appeared in documents in the late 1100s.
Other names that have the same origin as Grimason and its variants are Grimms, Grimshaw, and Grimsley. Grimsley is an English topographic name for a person who lived at a grey homestead or near a grey "lee".
Grimson can also be seen spelled as Grimsonn and Grimssonn. This is thought to be a Scandinavian spelling of the name, as it is more commonly seen in Swedish records. Grimsonn originated in the Northern regions of Sweden and first appeared in documents in 1777.
Grimzin and Grimzinn are also believed to be Scandinavian spellings of the surname. The specific origin of these names is unknown, but it is thought to be derived from the Germanic root name Grim, meaning “fierce” or “angry”.
Grimshawn is another variant that is believed to be derived specifically from the Old Norse name Grimr. It too appeared in documents beginning in 1777.
Ultimately, the various spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Grimason all evolved from the same root name, Grimr, which suggests strength and ferocity.
Famous people with the name Grimason
- Darran Grimason: Former professional rugby union player from Ireland who represented the Irish National Team in the late 1980s.
- Pádraig Óg Grimason: Musician from County Kerry, Ireland who is well-known for his traditional Irish music.
- Jane Grimason: Irish actor known for her roles in BBC1's soap opera EastEnders and the Irish TV series Ballykissangel.
- Ben Grimason: Professional footballer from New Zealand who currently plays for Western United FC in the A-League.
- Edmund Grimason: Irish statesman who served as a member of Parliament from Dublin in the late 19th century.
- William Grimason: 19th-century American newspaper editor and politician who served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1852 to 1856.
- Marie Grimason: British actress who has had major roles in the TV series Shameless, Doctor Who and Call the Midwife.
- Robert Grimason: British actor and comedian best known for playing the lead role in the sitcom My Hero.
- Tommy Grimason: Former National Hurling League and All-Ireland Championship winner from County Wicklow, Ireland.
- Frank Grimason: Major in the British Army who was awarded the Military Cross during World War One.