Surname Greene - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Unexpected Ancestral Story: Unraveling the Viking Roots of the Greens Through iGENEA DNA Test

I sought to affirm my family lineage through an iGENEA DNA test, expecting confirmation of a sophisticated English lineage. However, the results took a surprising twist, pulling back the veil on an unexpected narrative. The Greens turned out to be more Viking than Victorian English, unveiling a fascinating migratory history.

T. Greene

Greene: What does the surname Greene mean?

The last name Greene is of English origin and it derived from the Old English term "grene," which means green. This name often served as a nickname for individuals who habitually dressed in this color or who had a complexion that appeared green. In other cases, it referred to individuals who lived near the village green or operated a village green, which was the common land at the center of a settlement where communal activities like markets, and community gatherings took place. Greene could also be an occupational name for a bowman or a maker of bows, as the finest English bows were made of a particular type of oak wood that was known as grene. Like many surnames, there can be multiple points of origin and meanings due to regional or cultural variations.

Greene: Where does the name Greene come from?

The surname Greene is of English origin and is derived from the Old English term "grene", or "green", which was commonly used to refer to villages greens or to young, growing vegetation. In medieval times, it was often given as a nickname to individuals who habitually dressed in the color green or who had a complexion or personality that suggested the color green.

It was also sometimes used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a village green, or a habitational name for someone from any of the numerous locations named Green, Greene, or The Green.

Today, it is common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, England, and Australia. In the United States, the Greene surname is particularly prevalent in the states of New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. In England, it is commonly found across the country but particularly in the East of England. Over time and due to emigration, the surname Greene has spread to other countries and has variants depending on the language and cultural adaptation.

Variations of the surname Greene

The surname Greene can have different spelling variations and can also be derived from different roots. These variants can largely be attributed to the phonetic spellings that took place in the medieval period. The most common spelling variation of the name is Green. Other spellings include Grean, Grene, and Grein.

Some surnames that may share the same roots with Greene include De La Grene, Greaner, and Gruen, which is of German origin. The variant Gruen might have derived from the German word for green, "grün", which could have been used as a surname for people who lived in green areas or had a trade associated with the color green.

The name Greene is often of English origin and could have been used to refer to a person who was the village green's caretaker, or someone who lived near the village green. In other cases, it might have been a personification of the color, indicating someone who often wore green or had a trade associated with the color green.

In Ireland, the name Green has been used to represent the Gaelic name O hUain, meaning descendant of Uan, as well as a few other less common Irish surnames.

Famous people with the name Greene

• Graham Greene: British novelists best known for his works "The Power and the Glory" and "Our Man in Havana."
• Lorne Greene: Canadian actor famous for his role in the TV show "Bonanza."
• Shecky Greene: American comedian and actor.
• Alvin Greene: American politician who was a Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate.
• Ashley Greene: American actress known for her role as Alice Cullen in the "Twilight" series.
• Ellen Greene: American singer and actress, best known for her role as Audrey in both the stage and film versions of "Little Shop of Horrors."
• Brian Greene: American theoretical physicist known for his work in string theory.
• Maurice Greene: American former track and field sprinter who specialized in the 100 meters and 200 meters.
• Fort Greene: Not a person but a neighborhood in Brooklyn, known for its history and contributions to African-American culture.
• Logan Greene: Musician from Tucson, Arizona.
• Robson Greene: an English actor, singer, songwriter, and television presenter who gained recognition for his role in "Soldier Soldier."
• Evyenia Greene: film producer known for her work on "The Secret of Roan Inish" (1994), "Passion Fish" (1992) and "Angela" (1995).
• Kerri Green: an American actress, writer, and director notable for her roles in "The Goonies" and "Lucas."

Other surnames

GreenGreenalGreenallGreenanGreenbergGreenfestGreenfieldGreenhalfGreenhalgeGreenhalghGreenhallGreenhillGreeningGreenlandGreenlawGreenleafGreenspangreenspansGreensponGreenspoonGreenspunGreensteinGreenstreetGreenwadeGreenwaldGreenwellGreenwood