UK surname
A occupational surname referring to a watchman or guard.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Griffon surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Kings Norton and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Griffon is 137 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.0%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
137 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Griffon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Griffon surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 137 | #16,465 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 91 | #25,239 |
| 1901 | historical | 41 | #29,602 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Kings Norton, St Pancras, Manchester and Egremont. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 2 | Kings Norton | Worcestershire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Egremont | Cumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Griffon surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Griffon, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Griffon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Griffon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Griffon is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Griffon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Griffon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname GRIFFON has its origins in medieval France, dating back to the 11th or 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "griffon," which referred to a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. This creature was often depicted in heraldry and symbolized strength, courage, and vigilance.
In the early Middle Ages, the name GRIFFON may have been adopted as a surname by individuals who lived near a place adorned with a griffon emblem or crest. Alternatively, it could have been given as a nickname to someone perceived as having griffon-like qualities, such as bravery or fierceness.
One of the earliest known references to the surname GRIFFON can be found in the Medieval English genealogical work, "The Visitation of Somersetshire," compiled in 1623. This record mentions a Sir John Griffon, who lived in the 14th century and held lands in Somersetshire, England.
Another notable early bearer of the name was Guillaume Griffon, a French soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). He is recorded as serving under the renowned French military leader, Joan of Arc, during the Siege of Orléans in 1429.
In the 16th century, a family by the name of Griffon resided in the village of Bray-sur-Somme, in the northern French region of Picardy. One member of this family, Jacques Griffon (1525-1592), was a renowned architect who contributed to the design of several notable buildings, including the Château de Fontainebleau.
During the Renaissance period, the GRIFFON name was also associated with the arts. Jean Griffon (1548-1628) was a French painter and engraver who worked in the Mannerist style and produced numerous religious works for churches in Paris and other parts of France.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure with the surname GRIFFON was Jean-Baptiste Griffon (1715-1799), a French playwright and poet who was elected to the Académie Française in 1768. His most famous work was the tragedy "Ménalippe," which premiered in 1758.
As the GRIFFON name spread throughout Europe over the centuries, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Griffon, Griffin, and Griffyn. While the name has French origins, it has since been adopted by families in other countries, including England, Germany, and Spain.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Griffon surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 10 Griffons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 10 | 11.46x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.15x |
| Norfolk | 8 | 12.41x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 3.24x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 4.11x |
| Channel Islands | 2 | 16.10x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 5.54x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 3.21x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.80x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.16x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.70x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 6 Griffons recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.95x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 6 | 32.95x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 5 | 74.40x |
| Limpenhoe | 4 | 13333.33x |
| Otterton | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Aberdare | 3 | 59.88x |
| Acle | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 3 | 180.72x |
| Cleator | 2 | 133.33x |
| Westminster St John | 2 | 39.14x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.91x |
| Elswick | 1 | 20.08x |
| Folkestone | 1 | 36.10x |
| Longbenton | 1 | 37.88x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 50.51x |
| South Lynn | 1 | 136.99x |
| St Helier | 1 | 24.75x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 43.48x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 16.37x |
| Stranton | 1 | 23.81x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 49.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Griffon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Griffon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Griffon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| No Occupation | 3 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Sailor | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Ag Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Brass Founder | 1 |
| Brick Labourer | 1 |
| Coast Guard Boatswain Wife | 1 |
| Coastguard Boatswain | 1 |
| Costermonger | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Labourer Wife | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Gunner R.A. | 1 |
| Labourer Shipyard (SB) | 1 |
| Master Baker | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Stone Masons Lab | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
| Works In Nursery Grounds (Munic) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Griffon surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Griffon a modern rank of #37,705.
A occupational surname referring to a watchman or guard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Griffon bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.