Last Name Grout

The surname Grout is believed to have originated from the Old English word "grout," which means "crumbled gravel" or "mortar." It was originally a nickname for someone who worked with mortar or gravel, or lived near such a place. The name can also be derived from the Middle English word "grouch," meaning "brook" or "stream." In this case, it could have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a small stream. Another possible origin is from the Norman French "groute," which means "a clot of blood." This could have been a metaphorical nickname or a reference to a physical characteristic. It's worth noting that surnames began to appear in Europe during the Middle Ages, as a way to distinguish one person from another. Surnames were often occupational, geographical, or derived from a person's physical characteristics. The name Grout is found mainly in England and Ireland.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Grout

The meaning and origin of the last name Grout

The surname Grout is an Anglo-Saxon name, derived from the Old English word "grouth," which means "gravel" or "pebble." It is believed to have been originally a topographical name, given to someone who lived near a gravelly area or worked with gravel. The name was brought to England by the Normans following the Conquest in 1066 and has since become widely distributed throughout the country. Over time, variations in spelling have arisen due to changes in pronunciation and recording methods, resulting in forms such as Groot, Groat, and Groutt. The surname is particularly common in northern England, with high concentrations in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire. Notable people bearing the name include architect James Grout and actor David Grout.

Geographical distribution of the last name Grout

The surname Grout is predominantly distributed across various regions in England and Ireland, with significant concentrations in these two countries. In England, the highest frequency of the surname can be found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire, suggesting historical roots in the northern part of the country. In Ireland, it is most prevalent in County Donegal and County Mayo, indicating Irish origins possibly dating back to the Viking invasions or Norman conquest. Additionally, there are smaller but notable populations in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, likely due to emigration from England and Ireland over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Grout

The surname Grout has several variations and spellings due to historical transcription errors and regional dialects. Some common variants include Groot, Groot, Grote, and Grute. Additionally, there are also anglicized forms such as Growe, Gruff, and Groove. These variations may have originated from different regions or time periods, but all can be traced back to the original surname Grout. It is important to note that these variations can lead to potential confusion when researching family history, as records from different eras and locations may use varying spellings for the same name.

Famous people with the last name Grout

Notable individuals with the surname Grout include:

1. Dr. George David Grout (1896-1941), an American musicologist and composer known for his work on Gregorian Chant. He authored several influential books, including "A Short History of Western Music" and "Gregorian Chants".

2. Sir Reginald Charles Grout OBE (1895-1971), an English conductor who led the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1946 to 1957. He is remembered for his advocacy of contemporary music and his work with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sadler's Wells Opera.

3. Sir William Grout (born 1927), a British judge who served as Lord Justice of Appeal from 1989 to 1996. He was knighted in 1990 for his services to the law.

4. Dr. Henry Louis Grout (1882-1963), an American mathematician who made significant contributions to the theory of algebraic functions and function fields. He served as president of the American Mathematical Society from 1957 to 1958.

5. Dame Fiona Grout (born 1942), a British judge who has served as a Justice of the High Court since 2003. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to the law.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as musicology, conducting, judiciary, and mathematics.

Genealogical research on the last name Grout

The surname Grout is of English origin and is believed to have derived from either the Old Norse "grjotr," meaning rock or stone, or the Middle English "grote" which referred to a cave or a deep hole in the ground. The name was originally used as a topographical surname for someone who lived near a rocky area or a cave.

The Grout family can be traced back to the 13th century in England, with early records found in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Some notable individuals with the surname Grout include John Grout, a governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century, and William Grout, a prominent American composer and conductor from the 20th century.

The Grout family migrated to North America during the Great Migration period in the 17th century, with many settling in New England. Today, the majority of people with the surname Grout reside in the United States, followed by Canada and Australia. Variations of the name include Grute, Groote, Groutt, and Groot.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Grout"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 27 July 2025

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