Surname Grindoll - Meaning and Origin

Grindoll: What does the surname Grindoll mean?

The last name Grindoll is of German origin, and is believed to have originated in the region of Franconia in Germany. It is thought to be a habitational name, derived from a place name related to the words “grind” (meaning “to mince”) and “holz” (meaning “wood”). The suffix “oll” is a diminutive, meaning “small”. This suggests that the name possibly referred to a small wooded area where the inhabitants worked to grind what they harvested.

The Grindoll surname is found primarily in the Bavarian states of Bavaria and Bayern, as well as in other parts of Germany. Many people with the Grindoll name have emigrated to the US, particularly during the 19th century. Those with the Grindoll surname can be found primarily in the United States, as well as in Canada and the U.K.

The most notable figure with the Grindoll name is founder of the Siebenbrunner furniture company, Bernhard Grindoll. Born in 1811, he was an immigrant to the United States in 1839 and founded Siebenbrunner in Brooklyn, New York the same year. Siebenbrunner provided quality furniture for the masses and quickly established itself as an invaluable source of fine furniture. Today, the Grindoll name remains a hallmark of quality craftsmanship and is still associated with furniture and cabinetmaking.

Grindoll: Where does the name Grindoll come from?

The last name Grindoll is most commonly found in areas of the United States. It is an uncommon surname and traces its ancestry back to Scandinavia. Minnesota is the state where it is most commonly found, however, there are also small pockets of the name all the way from California to Maine. The largest cluster is around the states of Illinois and Wisconsin as well as in North and South Dakota.

It is very likely that the name came to the United States through immigration. Its Norse heritage means that it likely originated in modern-day Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Records suggest that some of the earliest settlers of the name in the New World were from Norway around 1830. They made their way across the Atlantic and made their homes in rural areas of the Midwest.

The exact meaning of the name Grindoll is unknown however the accepted belief is that it is transcribed from the Old Norse name “Grimthjal”, which means “he who has a dark helmet”. Little is known about the history of the name. It is believed to be very old and perhaps even prehistoric.

Today, the Grindoll surname still exists in various places in the United States. It has been adopted into some Native American tribes as a result of intermarriage and many people who carry the name Grindoll are proud of its origins.

Variations of the surname Grindoll

The variant spellings and surnames of Grindoll are Grantham, Greindoll, Greandoll, Grindle and Grindle. It could also be spelled as Grinydle, Grindall, or Grendel. It is normally a topographic name derived from the Middle English grine, which literally means “one who resided by or near a ‘gray hill’” or a surname sometimes found in Middle English records spelled Grinfield.

The surname Grinnell is derived from the Middle English “Grinda”, which means “a person on the green hill”. This occupational name was used in medieval times to describe someone who worked on the farm on the green hillside. The most prominent use of this name is found in Scotland, where it was first used as a surname as early as the 12th century. It is also found throughout the Anglo-Saxon countries.

The spelling variants for this surname include Grinle, Greindall, Grinydle, Greandoll, Grindle, Grindel, and Grantham. All of these spellings stem from the same origins and refer to a person from the green hillside.

Originally descending from an old English family, the Grindoll surname is known to have been in the vicinity of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire from as far back as the late 11th century. This surname was likely derived from a physical locational environment in which the Grindoll family used to occupy a green hill. Over time, the surname was passed down through generations and eventually spread throughout Europe.

Furthermore, the surname was also used commonly as an occupational name and described someone who lived in the vicinity of a green hill. This form of the surname has seen a considerable amount of spelling variation throughout history, ranging from the English Greindall, through to the French Greandoll, and even to the Spanish Grantham.

Famous people with the name Grindoll

• David Grindoll: British actor and West End performer.
• Andrew Grindoll: English actor best known for his roles in the classic horror films, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Wolf Man.
• Eliza Grindoll: Actress and singer, most popular in the 1930s.
• Ellie Grindoll: TV presenter and voice-over artist.
• Leon Grindoll: British film director, most well known for his work in the science fiction thriller, Blade Runner.
• Paul Grindoll: English songwriter and musician, best known for his contribution to the Beach Boys albums Pet Sounds and Sunflower.
• Rob Grindoll: English film director, screenwriter and producer.
• Vince Grindoll: British singer and songwriter, best known for his work on the soundtrack of The Lord of the Rings.
• Steve Grindoll: British radio and television presenter and actor.
• John Grindoll: English actor, most well known for his role in the film, Airplane!

Other surnames

GrindoeGrindol