The origin of the name Griffin is Irish and the Coat of Arms contains Black with a gold griffin rampant. The Crest is A black talbot's head. The family motto is Ne vile Velis.
Spelling variations include: Griffin, O'Griffin, Griffen, O'Griffen and others.
First found in the province of Munster where they had been granted lands by Strongbow after the Anglo Norman invasion into Ireland in 1172.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: George Griffin who settled in St. Christopher in 1633 and later moved to Virginia; Hugh Griffin settled in Virginia in 1649; Catherine and Margaret Griffin settled in Virginia in 1663.
