Meaning: Its source is an English expression meaning "The color green."

Narrative: Green originated as a nickname for those who habitually wore green. Also it was used as a surname to identify families that lived near the village green, a town's traditional place of assembly.

Among the Scandinavians, the use of this name might have alluded to the ''green branches'' of a family tree. Also, among the Irish and Jews, forms of this surname were adopted as a sort of familial ornament, the naming equivalent of putting on bright green clothes.