Surname Griegat - Meaning and Origin
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Griegat: What does the surname Griegat mean?
The last name Griegat has Germanic origins, specifically derived from the name of the old Germanic tribe of the Grielgas. This name is said to stem from the term ‘Griego’, which translates to ‘gray hair’. This likely refers to the original inhabitants of the region, or possibly to a characteristic of the family’s ancestors.
The Germanic tribe of the Grielgas were a people that inhabited the region now known as Rhineland Palatinate and Lower Alsace in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is thought that the Grielgas initially inhabited this area as early as the 5th century. The tribe eventually merged with other Germanic tribes and for a brief period in the 8th century, the Grielgas set up a short-lived independent country. Before being assimilated into the Franks during the 9th century, the Grielgas had their own culture, customs, laws, and language.
The Griegat last name is likely derived from the names of the tribe of the Grielgas themselves. As the tribe was assimilated by the Franks in the 9th century, their last name became a distinct family name. Over the centuries the spelling of the last name may have changed, but the original meaning 'gray hair' is likely still relevant to those with the Griegat last name.
Order DNA origin analysisGriegat: Where does the name Griegat come from?
Griegat is a last name derived from the French and Germanic languages, which has become quite common in many countries such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and many other European countries. This surname has also made its way to several regions in the United States, where its frequency in the 2000 U.S. Census was found to be greatest in its highest concentration in Pennsylvania.
In many parts of Europe, the Griegat surname is commonly associated with the Dutch and French-speaking regions of Belgium, and the French regions of Switzerland. As far as the United States is concerned, bulk of Griegat's presence has been established in the areas of greater Pennsylvania and Maryland. This family name has also been detected in various states including New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and South Carolina.
In terms of population size, Griegats in the U.S. numbered 588 individuals as per the 2000 U.S. Census. The 2010 U.S. Census revealed the same number. The U.S. Census Bureau now estimates that there are 700+ Griegats living in the United States. Furthermore, historical records suggest that this name can also be found in the Philippines, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Griegat is a quite common surname in the modern era, and likely to increase given the high migration and family expansion worldwide.
Variations of the surname Griegat
The surname Griegat is possibly a corruption of the original French surname, Grigaut. It is typically found in the Alsace-Lorraine area of France, near the border with Germany, and is believed to have been adopted by a family from Germany during the Middle Ages.
The most commonly found variant of Griegat is Gregat, as in the German surname Gregat. Other variants include Greget, Grehaut, Grigat, Greaut, Grigault, Grigaux, Griet, and Grigault. Grigault is a French variant, while Griet is an Italian variant.
In addition to the above, the most common surnames of similar origin are Grieger, Grit, Grieb, Greger, Griess, Griesbach, Griesel, Griesser, Greil, Greilinger, Grygiel, Grigolitis, Graigut, Grigal, and Grygiel.
Griegat is not a very common surname and can be difficult to trace. Nonetheless, tracing its variants can help in the search for the origin of this surname. For this purpose, family history researchers have to consider the different spellings of the surname mentioned above, as well as the variants from the various language families where it is found.
Famous people with the name Griegat
- Jan Griegat: is a retired Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a slalom skier.
- Astrid Griegat: is a German former swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Johnny Griegat: is a Belgian former road and track cyclist who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Michael Griegat: is a retired Austrian slalom and giant slalom skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Jean-Claude Griegat: is a retired French ice hockey forward who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
- Lothar Griegat: is a retired German basketball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Claudio Griegat: is a former Swiss Nordic combined skier who competed in the 1982 Winter Olympics.
- Karln Griegat: is a retired French basketball player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Robert Griegat: is a former Dutch speed skater who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- Elisabeth Griegat: is a Swiss figure skater who competed in the 1975 European Figure Skating Championships.