NomOrigine Background

Last Name Grear

What is the origin of the last name Grear?

The surname Grear is of English origin and is believed to have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a grove or thicket. The name comes from the Old English "greor," meaning "grove" or "thicket." Alternatively, it could also be a habitational name from any of several minor places named with this word, such as Grew in Cheshire and Greer in Derbyshire. However, it's important to note that surnames often have multiple possible origins and the specific origin for each instance of the name can vary.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Grear

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Grear

The meaning and origin of the last name Grear

The surname Grear is primarily of Irish origin, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from various Gaelic names, including "Ó Grioghair" or "Mac Grioghair," which mean "descendant of Griogair." Griogair was a personal name of unknown meaning, but it's believed to have been popularized by a mythological figure named Niall of the Nine Hostages, who had several descendants bearing this name. Over time, the surname underwent various anglicizations and spellings, including Grare, Greer, and Grear, as a result of English influences during the Tudor conquest of Ireland in the 16th century. Today, the Grear surname is most prevalent in Ireland, particularly in counties Mayo and Cork.

Geographical distribution of the last name Grear

The surname Grear has its roots in Ireland and Scotland, with significant concentrations in these regions. In Ireland, it is most common in counties such as Down, Armagh, Tyrone, and Antrim, reflecting the historical presence of the name in Ulster. In Scotland, it can be found particularly in areas like Midlothian, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire. Outside of these regions, the distribution becomes more scattered. In the United States, there are notable populations of people with the surname Greer in states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, reflecting Irish and Scottish migration patterns during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Australia, it is most common in New South Wales, while in Canada, it can be found in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Overall, the Greer surname has a strong association with Ireland and Scotland, but its distribution has been broadened by migration over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Grear

The surname Grear has several variations and spellings, some of which include:

1. Gear - This spelling is an alternative version of the surname and may be found in various parts of the English-speaking world.
2. Geare - A less common variant of the surname that can also be found among families with British heritage.
3. Greer - A variation of the surname that originates from Scotland and Ireland, often pronounced similarly to "Gear" but spelled differently due to historical linguistic shifts.
4. Gare - A minimalist form of the surname, typically found in contexts where space is limited or there are character limitations, such as usernames or social media profiles.
5. De Grear - An anglicized version of Irish names containing the Gaelic prefix "de," which translates to "from" or "descendant of." In this case, it may be a variation of an Irish name that originally had a different Gaelic surname followed by de, such as O'Griogair, which means "descendant of the spear-like one."
6. McGreer - A Scottish variation of the surname, indicating a connection to the Mc (son of) clan system. In this case, it may be a variant of McGregor, meaning "son of Gregor," although it is less common than McGregor itself.

Famous people with the last name Grear

Notable individuals bearing the surname Grear include:

1. John Greer (1826-1903), an American civil engineer who designed and constructed numerous bridges, canals, and railroads across the United States.

2. Margaret Greene (born 1954), an Irish writer and journalist known for her work on the Belfast Project and other investigations into The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

3. Thomas Greer (1765-1840), a Scottish engineer who made significant contributions to shipbuilding, including designing and building steamships for the British Navy.

4. Scott Greer (born 1972), an American journalist, author, and political commentator who has worked for various media outlets such as The Hill and HuffPost.

5. William Greer (1896-1966), the chauffeur of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's limousine on the day of his assassination in 1963. His testimony surrounding the event has been a subject of debate and speculation.

Genealogical research on the last name Grear

The surname Grear, variants include Gear, Geer, and Geare, originates from Old Norse origins, specifically the personal name "Geirr" which translates to "spear." The name became common in England during Viking invasions between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Throughout history, the Grear family has had a presence in various parts of England, notably Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham. Some early records show the name being spelled as "Ger" in the Doomsday Book of 1086, indicating a well-established lineage during medieval times.

The migration to Ireland began in the 12th century when the Normans invaded and settled, bringing with them the Grear surname, primarily in counties such as Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Dublin. The family also expanded to Scotland and was recorded in the Scottish census of 1650.

Over time, branches of the Grear family emigrated to North America, starting with settlements in Virginia in the early 17th century and later moving to Canada, where they are most commonly found in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Gream (Last name)

surnames > gream

The surname Gream or Graham originates from Scotland and England. It is derived from the Old Norse "gramr," which means "gravelly" or "stony," and was originally a nickname for som...

Greaney (Last name)

surnames > greaney

The surname Greaney is of Irish origin and comes from a Gaelic family name O'Griannaigh, which means "descendant of Grania" or "little grain". The name is found primarily in County...

Greany (Last name)

surnames > greany

The surname Greany is of Irish origin, specifically from County Mayo in the western province of Connacht. It is derived from a number of places bearing this name, such as Baile Gre...

Greatness (Last name)

surnames > greatness

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Greaves (Last name)

surnames > greaves

The last name "Greaves" is primarily of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "greve" (later "greave") which means "a piece of armor for protecting the leg." ...

Grebonval (Last name)

surnames > grebonval

The surname "Grebonval" does not have a well-documented origin. It appears to be quite rare and is not commonly found in historical records or genealogical databases. It is possibl...

Greby (Last name)

surnames > greby

The surname Greby is of French origin. It is derived from a place name that originally referred to a dwelling near a grove or thicket. In Old French, "gris" means gray and "bey" me...

Greci (Last name)

surnames > greci

The surname Greci is of Italian origin and means "Greek." It is believed to be an ethnic or regional name for someone who came from Greece or had Greek ancestry. The name may have ...

Greciano (Last name)

surnames > greciano

The surname Greciano is derived from the Italian language and is a locative surname, meaning it originally referred to a person who lived near a place called Grezio or another simi...

Grecic (Last name)

surnames > grecic

The last name Grecic is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the word "hrvatski," which means "Croatian" in Croatian. It likely originally referred to people who were of Croatian...

Greck (Last name)

surnames > greck

The surname Greck is primarily associated with individuals who originate from Greece or have Greek ancestry. The term "Greck" itself does not appear to be a traditional surname; ho...

Greco (Last name)

surnames > greco

The last name "Greco" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "greco" in Italian, which means "Greek." The surname likely originated as an ethnic or regional descriptor f...

Greder (Last name)

surnames > greder

The surname Greder is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "grēt(e)" meaning "peasant" or "freeman." It may have been an occupational name for a peasant farm...

Greece (Last name)

surnames > greece

The surname Greece is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "grece," meaning a small stream or a ravine. It is likely that the name was originally a topographic nam...

Green (Last name)

surnames > green

The surname Green has Anglo-Saxon roots and is derived from the Old English word "grēne," which means "green." It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a green or woode...