Surname Grimme - Meaning and Origin
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Grimme: What does the surname Grimme mean?
The last name Grimme is of German origin and is thought to be a variant of the German word “Grimm,” meaning “fierce” or “strong.” This name likely referred to someone who was fierce in battle or strong in their convictions. In some cases, the name may also have referred to a person with a wild and untamed attitude.
The Grimme family likely has a long history in Germany, with some records showing usage of the name as far back as the late 1300s. It may have even originated in the Middle Ages and was used primarily by families who were powerful and influential within their respective communities. In some cases, the name may also have been used to indicate a family of warriors or soldiers who were known for their strength and courage.
Today, Grimme is still considered a common German name, especially in the realms of business and politics. While the original meaning of the name may have changed over time, it still carries with it a sense of strength, courage, and ferocity. It is not uncommon to see Grimme family members take on powerful roles in society and pursuing higher levels of education and success.
Order DNA origin analysisGrimme: Where does the name Grimme come from?
The surname Grimme is a German-language name with origins in northern Germany, primarily in the area of Schleswig-Holstein. Historically the name referred to someone who engaged in the practice of divination, usually by interpreting the flight of birds. The name has fluctuated in popularity since it first appeared in the 1100s.
Today, the surname, Grimme, is most common in Germany. The name is distributed evenly across the whole of Germany with no particular regions being much more heavily populated with the name than others. In addition to Germany, Grimme has also been seen displayed on phones, churches, and residential areas in Luxemburg, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Grimme on the 2000 census was in California, with a population of just over 2,000 individuals. Outside of California, the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois also had a presence of people with the Grimme surname.
Whatever the background of the name may be, it remains a popular German surname in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Grimme
The surname Grimme is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the Middle High German 'grim', meaning 'fierce, violent'. There are a number of variations, spellings and surnames of this origin, including Greim, Greimel, Grim, Grimme, Grimmel, Grimme, Grimmes, Grims, Grimms, Grimsley, Grimsly and Grimwold.
The spelling 'Greim' is a variation that is commonly seen representing the surname in Germany, and is also present in Austria and Switzerland. 'Greimel' is another spelling of this same origin that may appear on some documents, and is also found in countries where the surname has been carried over from the German language.
The spelling 'Grim' is a variation of Grimme that is likely to be encountered when researching American genealogical records, while 'Grimmel' is a form of Grimme that is found in Germany and Austria, and also in certain other areas such as Scandinavia and Hungary.
The spellings 'Grims' and 'Grimms' are variations of Grimme that are commonly seen in England and America, while 'Grimsley' and 'Grimsly' are two American spellings of this surname.
Finally, 'Grimwold' is an old Anglo-Saxon name that may be seen in some parts of England and America, and is likely derived from the Middle English 'grimwald', meaning 'by the fierce woods'. Researching records which include these spellings, as well as any variant spellings which may exist, can help to uncover a more complete family history.
Famous people with the name Grimme
- Heinrich Grimm (1785: 1863), German linguist and philologist.
- Jesse Grimme (1876: 1918), American progressive era political figure.
- Walter J. Grimme (1893: 1967), American World War I veteran and politician.
- Ralf Grimme (born 1940), German chemist and professor of biotechnology.
- Tina Grimmē (born 1986), pop singer and songwriter.
- Maximilian Griem (1873-1933), renowned German neurologist and psychiatrist.
- Helene Griem (fl. 1930's), German film actress.
- Harry Grimm (1885-1952), German-born British journalist, writer, and traveller.
- Ben Grimm (born 1985), popular professional wrestler.
- Jacob Grimm (1785-1863), German philologist, jurist, and mythologist, best known as one of the Brothers Grimm.