Grossier

This is apparently a surname of French origins. At first glance it appears to owe something to the surnames Groser and Grocer, and as such to describe somebody who lives or works in a grocery. However this is probably not the case. The development is almost certainly from a quite different source. It is certainly job descriptive and in our opinion originates from Groseillier, a name also recorded outside of France as Grossier, Grosier,Grosvier, Grocer and Grosser, all of whom describe a breeder of geese. The name in all its various spellings is recorded in England from the early 18th century suggesting that it was a Huguenot name, the Huguenots being protestant refugees who fled from (mainly) France during the reign of King Louis X1V, 1643 - 1715. However from time to time the English have had a longing for all things French, in between being at war with them! This has included a "frenchifying" of the language and occasionally of surnames, by the addition of specifically French letters. In this case the surname recordings include Daniel Grossier, recorded at La Patente French church, Spitalfields, London, on March 12th 1710, whilst earlier in 1623, on June 9th of that year Henry Grocier was a witness at the church of St Katherines by the Tower (of London). This was during the reign of King James 1st of England and V1 of Scotland, and known as "The first Stuart monarch", who reigned from 1603 to 1625.