Surname Grassie - Meaning and Origin
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Grassie: What does the surname Grassie mean?
The last name Grassie is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic surname Mac Gréis, which means “son of Grassie.” This surname likely derives from the medieval Gaelic personal name Gréise, meaning “zigzag” or “on the move,” as well as from the topographical name Gréise, which likely referred to a hilly or grassy location.
This surname was a common among Highland clan members in Scotland and it is still found in areas of Scotland today. It has also been present in North America since at least the mid-1700s.
Its origin and meaning suggest that the Grassie surname is indicative of a hardy, resourceful masculinity, emblematic of the Highlanders who first bore it. It likely stands for a willingness to take risks and is an apt symbol of the pioneering spirit that was so common among Scotsmen in centuries past.
The surname Grassie also serves as a link to history, a reminder of Scotland's heritage and the immigrants that bore the name to distant shores. Today, those with the last name Grassie are undoubtedly proud of the name’s history and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGrassie: Where does the name Grassie come from?
The last name Grassie is most commonly found in Scotland today. According to data from the Scotland's People website, Grassie is the 505th most popular surname in Scotland. It is particularly prevalent in Stirlingshire, where it ranks as the 98th most popular last name.
The Grassie surname is derived from the pre-existing surname Greissie in Scotland and is thought to have emerged in the mid-1700s. The pre-existing Greissie surname was likely derived from the Gaelic personal name Griosb or Griob or Griobhtha, meaning "hero." This suggests that Grassie was originally bestowed to a notable individual, or someone thought to have heroic traits.
The Grassie surname is also found in the United States, particularly in the north. Records indicate that the surname first appeared in the U.S. in 1750, when an individual by the name of George Grassie crossed the Atlantic from Scotland. The Grassie name is particularly common in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, as well as in parts of Canada. Records from the 19th and 20th century also suggest many Grassie families emigrated to Australia and New Zealand.
Despite having been around for centuries, the Grassie surname is not particularly common in any part of the world today. However, it remains most prevalent in Scotland, where families bearing the Grassie surname still reside.
Variations of the surname Grassie
Grassie is a surname that has a few variants both in spelling and in surnames of the same origin. One variant is Grassey. This variant is seen in old records from the 1700s and 1800s in the United States. Other variants include Grasse, Grasie, Grasseau, Grassé, Grasi, and Grassey.
Surnames of the same origin as Grassie include Grassa, Grasso, Grassey, Graesser, Grassi, and Grasso. These are often seen in records from Italy and Germany. All of these forms of the surname are derived from the Latin word "gramineus," meaning "grass" or "turf."
The Grassie family historically traces its roots to Scotland. It is believed that the name is Scottish in origin, but there is also evidence of the surname in France and Ireland. In Scotland, many of the Grassie family members lived in the Aberdeenshire region.
Grassie is an uncommon surname, but today there are still Grassies living in the United States and Great Britain. It is a unique surname with a rich history and many variants.
Famous people with the name Grassie
- Tyler Grassie: Canadian digital media entrepreneur and publisher
- Fergus Grassie: Scottish former professional footballer
- Ben Grassie: English cricketer
- Jeff Grassie: American writer, actor, and producer
- Joshua Grassie: Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman
- Ernie Grassie: Scottish former footballer
- Lewis Grassie: Scottish former professional footballer
- Tom Grassie: Irish hurler
- Roger Grassie: Canadian ice hockey player
- Ronnie Grassie: Scottish former professional footballer
- John Grassie: Scottish footballer
- Robert Grassie: Canadian ice hockey player
- Ian Grassie: Scottish former professional footballer
- Robert J. Grassie: Scottish-American Philip Morris executive
- Hutchison Grassie: Scottish rugby union footballer
- Eric Grassie: Australian rugby union player