Surname Grisom - Meaning and Origin

Grisom: What does the surname Grisom mean?

The surname Grisom is primarily found in the United States, with some presence in Canada, according to available data. When it comes to interpreting its meaning, it presents some hurdles, largely due to spelling variations. The most common interpretation suggests it's a variation of the surname Gresham. The name Gresham originated from England and was typically a locational surname for individuals from a village in Norfolk known as Gresham. The term ‘Gresham’ itself is believed to be derived from 'græsc', an Old English term meaning grass, and 'ham', meaning homestead. Therefore, the name indicates a person from a grassy homestead. However, it's essential to note that specific interpretations of the surname Grisom can depend on its particular family history and geographical origin, which might alter its meaning.

Grisom: Where does the name Grisom come from?

The surname Grisom is of English origin and primarily derived from a nickname for a gray-haired or fierce person. It roots from the Old English pre-7th century name "Grisa," which means "wild boar," with the suffix "-son," indicating "son of Grisa." This surname had various spellings over time, which include Grissom, Grixon, Grickson, and Grimson, among others.

As for its contemporary prevalence, people with the surname Grisom are predominantly found in the United States, specifically in the Southern region. This could relate to the historical emigration patterns from England to America, particularly during the colonial period. However, it is not exclusive to these locations and can be found in smaller numbers across the globe potentially due to increased global mobility and the intermingling of populations over time. It is important to note that it's not among the most common surnames, making it relatively unique.

Variations of the surname Grisom

The surname Grisom can have several variants and spellings such as Grissom, Gresham, Grisham, Grissam, and Gressom. All these variations may have evolved because the original spelling was often altered due to technical errors, mixing of languages and spellings by clerks, priests or local officials. Handwriting interpretation and phonetics also played a significant role in such discrepancies.

The surname Grisom has been predominantly linked to English origin, deriving from the Old English name 'Gris', meaning pig coupled with 'ham', meaning homestead or village. This suggests the ancestors had some connection with pig farming. The surname Gresham, which is a variant of Grisom, is famous due to Sir Thomas Gresham, the founder of the Royal Exchange in London.

Apart from the English lineage, similar sounding surname like 'Grissom' is also seen used among French, commonly in the Northeastern region, but the origin and meaning vary from the English derivative.

Please note, sharing of surname doesn't necessarily mean the people have shared heredity. It could be due to adoption or translation to similar sounding English names during the immigration era.

Famous people with the name Grisom

• Gus Grissom: a famous astronaut and one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts, who was the second American to fly in space.
• Roger Grissom: An American politician who served in the Montana House of Representatives.
• Scott Grissom: He is a renowned drummer, recognized as the founder of the drum company, Pork Pie Percussion.
• Virgil I. Grissom (also known as Gus Grissom): Another name of Gus Grissom, an American astronaut, who was part of NASA's Mercury Project, Gemini Program, and Apollo missions.
• Aileen Grissom: An American actress known for her work in the film "Evil Spirits" (1990).
• Travis Grissom: An American professional wrestler best known as "Shotgun" Travis Grissom. While these individuals may not all be universally known, they have achieved recognition in their respective fields. However, the most famous individual with the last name Grissom would undoubtedly be Gus Grissom, one of the first astronauts in America's space program.

Other surnames

Grison