Surname Grisham - Meaning and Origin

Unpacking the Roots of Grisham: Inside My Intricate DNA Journey with iGENEA

Engaging with the iGENEA DNA test, I journeyed through the roots of my surname Grisham, tracing them back to Anglo-Saxon tribes. Discovering connections worldwide, I learned that my family name has deep-seated European roots and formed unexpected bonds.

S. Grisham

Grisham: What does the surname Grisham mean?

The last name Grisham is of English origin and is derived from an English place name. The surname Grisham is thought to have been derived from the Old English words grese, meaning gravel, and ham, meaning a settlement or village. The name would hence have been given to a person who had a connection to a village with a gravel-like landscape, such families dominant in the midlands of England.

The Grisham surname was first documented in Hampshire, England, in the eleventh century. Records of the name date back to 1086 when the Doomsday Book recorded the names of Griseham and Gressam. The Grisham surname is one of the most common names throughout England but is especially common in the areas of Birmingham, Coventry, Hertfordshire, and Warwickshire.

Today, there are numerous variations of the Grisham surname, including Grishom, Grishome, Grissom, Grisson, and Grissham, amongst others. Despite the many variations, the laid-back yet determined character associated with the Grisham name still echoes.

Grisham: Where does the name Grisham come from?

The last name Grisham is an English surname originating from the English word for “gris,” which means "gray." It can be found in many different countries and regions across the globe, primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

In the United States, the name Grisham is most commonly found in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This is likely due to the high rate of settlement and migration to these states by people of English descent during America’s Colonial period.

Grisham is also found in Europe, primarily concentrated in the British Isles. This is also likely due to the large population of British settlers during the early colonial history of America, many of whom brought the name Grisham with them on their journey.

The name Grisham is also found in Canada, South America, and Asia. Its presence may be due in part to the large number of citizens who immigrated to these countries during the 1700s and 1800s, when much of the British Isles and North America was populated by English and Scots-Irish descendants.

Today, the name Grisham is still found throughout many countries, often associated with multiple branches of the same family. As such, it remains a widely used name and is likely to continue to be so for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Grisham

Grisham is an anglicized version of the Dutch, German, or Jewish name Grusam. It is thought to have been derived from the Old German personal name “Gruso,” which means “harsh or fierce.” This name was commonly used in the medieval Low Countries and during the religious wars in Germany. The anglicized form “Grisham” is also spelled as “Grisam” and “Grisum.”

Variants of the surname Grisham include “Grisem,” “Grism,” “Grisom,” “Grisham,” “Grishoma,” and “Grishome.” Other surnames with a similar origin include “Griswold,” “Grose,” “Grussman,” “Grossman,” “Gromann,” “Gronemeier,” and “Grizzam.”

Some of the earliest documented forms of the Grisham surname can be found in old English records. In 1298, for instance, one William Grisam appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Essex. In 1327, Robert Grisam was a witness to a court case in London. In 1575, Alice Grisham was christened in St. Botolph’s parish in London.

The Grisham surname spread to America when members of the family emigrated from Europe in the 1600s and 1700s. Among the earliest arrivals was Thomas Grisam, who came to Jamestown in 1608. Today, there are numerous people of Grisham descent living in the United States.

Famous people with the name Grisham

• John Grisham: John Grisham is an American author, best known for his legal thrillers. He is one of the most successful authors in the world, having sold more than 300 million books.
• Rebecca Grisham: Rebecca Grisham is an American illustrator. Her art has been featured on the covers of New York Times bestsellers and is also used in stationary products, décor, fashion, and paper goods.
• Scott Grisham: Scott Grisham is an American film producer. He is best known for producing several feature films, including Bottle Shock, J. Edgar, Jane Got a Gun, and Free State of Jones.
• Jennifer Grisham: Jennifer Grisham is an American singer-songwriter who has written several songs for television shows. Her song "Good Day" was used in the TV show Pretty Little Liars.
• David Grisham: David Grisham is an American public speaker, activist, and street preacher from Amarillo, Texas. He is well known for his strong anti-abortion and pro-Second Amendment stance.
• Chuck Grisham: Chuck Grisham was an American professional bowling player and amateur archer. He competed in the 1984 Olympic Games and won two gold medals in the sport of archery.
• Beverly Grisham: Beverly Grisham was an American librarian and educator. She served as the head librarian for the Louisville Free Public Library from 1966 to 1975, and was a passionate advocate for improving literacy in the Louisville area.
• Clyde Grisham: Clyde Grisham was an American baseball player and coach. He played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball and was the head coach of the Seattle Mariners in 1982.

Other surnames

GrishaberGrishom