NomOrigine Background

Last Name Green

What is the origin of the last name 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 wooded area. Alternatively, it could also have been an occupational name for a maker of green dyes or a gardener. In some cases, it may also be a nickname for someone with green eyes or hair. The use of surnames became more widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages, and by the Late Middle Ages, they had become hereditary. The Green surname is found throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and North America. It was one of the 100 most common surnames in England in the 19th century, and it remains a popular surname today.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Green

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 Green

The meaning and origin of the last name Green

The surname Green is an occupational name from Old English 'grene,' which denotes a green-robed religious official, derived from 'grynnan' meaning 'to grow.' This name was originally used to distinguish secular individuals from clergy members, who were often identified by the color of their robes. In Old Norse, 'græn' also means 'green,' which could suggest a nickname for someone with green eyes or hair, or one who lived near a verdant area. The name has been popular across many English-speaking countries and is derived from various roots in other languages, including the Gaelic 'Mac Greine,' meaning son of the sun, and the Russian 'Zelenyi,' meaning green.

Geographical distribution of the last name Green

The last name Green is widely distributed across various regions globally, reflecting its origin from Old English and Middle Dutch roots. In terms of frequency, it is most common in countries with a historical connection to England or the British Isles, such as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England itself. It also has significant presence in other parts of Europe, including Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia, due to migration and Viking invasions. In North America, Green is predominantly found in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas settled by English or Scottish immigrants. Additionally, the name has a sizable population in Australia and New Zealand, owing to their historical ties with Great Britain. Its distribution extends further across the globe, especially in countries with large English-speaking populations, indicating the global dispersal of people bearing this surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Green

The surname Green has several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes over time and regional differences. Some common variants include Greene, Gren, de Greene, Grune, Grin, Grina, Gryn, and Verdigris. These variants can be found in various English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The name Green is derived from an occupational name for a person who worked as a green grocer or gardener, or it could have originated from a nickname meaning "young" or "fresh." Additionally, some families with the last name Green may claim Norman or Anglo-Saxon ancestry. The surname Green is common in many parts of the English-speaking world and has been borne by notable individuals such as actors, athletes, politicians, and scholars throughout history.

Famous people with the last name Green

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Green include:

1. Katie Couric - An American journalist who served as the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 2006 to 2011, and is currently the global news anchor for Yahoo! News.

2. Robert Green - A British physician known for his study on childhood meningitis, which led to the introduction of the Hib vaccine.

3. Chris Green - A British politician who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2010, representing the constituency of Bolton West.

4. Dwight David Eisenhower, also known as Ike - The 34th President of the United States (1953-1961), supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. Although his last name is technically "Eisenhower," it originates from the German word for green.

5. James Green - An American environmentalist and author known for his work on climate change, biodiversity loss, and conservation.

6. Lydia Green - A Canadian actress who has appeared in various television series and films, such as "The Exorcism of Molly Hartley" and "Heroes Reborn."

7. Sharon Green - An American former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 15 in 1983.

Genealogical research on the last name Green

The surname Green is of Old English origin, derived from the word 'grene,' meaning 'green' in modern English. It was primarily an occupational name for a gardener or greenkeeper, or a topographical name for someone who lived near a green or open area.

The earliest recorded instances of the last name Green date back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. William filius Grene appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over time, variations in spelling such as Greene, Gren, and Greenway emerged due to differences in regional pronunciation and recording methods.

The Green family has produced notable figures throughout history, including Sir Richard Green, a prominent physician who served as the personal physician to King Henry VIII, and Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer and founder of New France. In more recent times, James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, and actress Greta Gerwig are among those bearing the surname Green.

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...

Grear (Last name)

surnames > 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," mea...

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...