The Gryfit, also known as Świebodzic, was a medieval
Polishknightly family. They occupied a dominant position among the
nobles of
Lesser Poland in the 12th and 13th century.
History
The family name comes from the emblem Gryf (a
Griffin) of their
coat of arms. In particular for the period before the 14th century they are also called Świebodzice, because of their
battle cry: Świeboda, (freedom, liberty).[1]Jan Długosz connected the family with the
House of Griffins. According to some historians, the Gryfici family, the House of Griffins and the
House of Sobiesław are descendants of a branch of the
Piast dynasty and their progenitor was one of the younger brothers of
Bolesław the Brave -
Świętopełk.[2]