GROOT. Originally De Groot, (that is the great or big) from Holland. The real surname of the illustrious Grotius. The connection between the Dutch and English Groots is sufficiently shewn in one of Dr. Johnson's letters to his friend. Dr. Vyse, of Lambeth. " I doubt not but you will readily forgive me for taking the liberty of request'm<y your assistance in recommending an old frimd to his Grace the Archbishop, as Governor of the Charter-House. His name is De Groot ; he was born in Gloucester ; I have known him many years. He has all the common claims to charity, being old, poor, and infirm in a great degree. He has likewise another claim, to which no scholar can refuse attention ; he is by several descents the nephew of Hugo Grotius— of him from whom perhaps every man of learning has learnt something. Let it not be said m any lettered country that a nephev of Grotius asked a charity and was refused. I am, reverend sir, your most humble servant, S-Ui. JOHKSON. July 9, 1777."

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.