Surname de Graef - Meaning and Origin
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de Graef: What does the surname de Graef mean?
The last name de Graef is of Dutch origin, and is derived from the Dutch word "graef" meaning mayor. Historically, the name would have been used to refer to a person who was the mayor of a town or village. The surname "de Graef" is also associated with occupation as the mayor of Holland in the 1400s. It is thought that the name was acquired by people in this position as an indication of their high social standing.
The name is particularly common in parts of Scandinavia, France, North America and the Netherlands. It is often seen as a title of honour with generations of a family holding the post of mayor through the centuries.
Nowadays, the name de Graef is more of a surname than a title and can be found across many countries. It is not necessarily associated with any noble or political history, however its roots still reflect on the proud history of the Netherlands. People with the name can often be found in certain historic towns with the original holder of the name at the helm.
The name de Graef can often be found today amongst those of Dutch descent and is still a proud reminder of Dutch culture and its ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisde Graef: Where does the name de Graef come from?
The last name de Graef is most commonly found among people living in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also seen in countries that have a large number of Dutch and Belgian immigrants, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Dutch and Belgian immigrants brought the name with them, and it has been passed down to descendants over the years.
The de Graef surname has its roots in Belgium and the Netherlands. It has been suggested that the name originates from the old Germanic words “graf” or “grafe”, which mean “count” or “county”. This original meaning could still be present in some of the modern variations of the name.
The de Graef surname is one of the most common surnames in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the Netherlands, it is the 64th most common surname. In Belgium, it is the 49th most frequent name in the Flemish region, and the 34th most common name in the Walloon region.
The number of individuals who currently carry the de Graef name is estimated to be in the millions. Many have immigrated to other countries and continents, taking the name with them. As more people migrate to new countries and continents, the de Graef name will likely appear in more countries, further spreading its prevalence.
Variations of the surname de Graef
The surname de Graef is of Belgian and Dutch origin. Variants of this surname include: Graef, Graeve, de Graeve, de Grael, Graeaf, Graeef, Graaf, Gräve, Gräf, Graff, Graffin, Griff, Grif, Griffon, Grieve, Grave, Grevé, Givry, Givré and Grevée. Many other French names, such as de Grez and Greau, are related to the surname de Graef and are derived from the same root.
The variant surname ‘Graaf’ is a Dutch word meaning ‘Count’ and is derived from the Latin word ‘comes’, which led to the French ‘comte’ or ‘count’. This developed into the surname ‘de Graaf’, which was used to refer to people who held the title of ‘Count’.
The surname ‘de Grael’ or ‘Grael’ is also derived from the Germanic word ‘Graf, meaning ‘Count’. This variant was used to refer to people who held the title of Count and later evolved into ‘Graeve’, ‘Gräve’, ‘Gräf’, ‘Griff’, ‘Grieve’ and ‘Givré’.
The surname ‘Graff’ or ‘Graffen’ is derived from the Germanic ‘Graf’ and was used to denote people who held the position of Count. Over time, this surname gradually developed into other variants, such as ‘Graffen’, ‘Graffin’ and ‘Graffon’.
The variant ‘Grivé’ or ‘Grevé’ is derived from the medieval French word ‘greve’, which means ‘manor overseer’. It is believed that this surname was used to refer to those who held positions of power or authority in the manor. Over time, the surname evolved into ‘Grieve’, ‘Grevée’ and ‘Givry’.
Overall, the surname de Graef has many variants and related surnames. All of them can be traced back to the same root, the Germanic word ‘Graf’, which means ‘Count’. Over time, this name has evolved into numerous variants, including Graef, de Grael, Graff, Gräf, Graffin, Griff, Grif, Griffon, Grieve, Grave, Grevé, Givry, Givré and Grevée, among many others.
Famous people with the name de Graef
- Philippe De Graef: Philippe De Graef is a Belgian-born artist who studied fine arts at the Academy of Chambéry, France, Université de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, United States. He has exhibited his sculpture and installations in museums, galleries, biennials, and exhibitions throughout the world.
- Jim de Graef: Jim de Graef was a former professional hockey player who represented Belgium in the World Cup. He also became a broadcaster for numerous European teams, including The Hague's HC Den Haag.
- Jane de Graef: Jane de Graef is a Flemish singer-songwriter and composer currently based in Belgium. She has released numerous albums and singles in her native language.
- Graziella de Graef: Graziella de Graef is a Belgian-born journalist and radio producer. She has produced various radio and television programs spanning broadcasts from Belgium, Europe, and Africa.
- Rémy de Graef: Rémy de Graef is a Belgian architect and professor of architecture at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. He is famous for designing various public monuments, such as the Grand Levier in Liège and the Memorial for Peaceful Protest in Brussels.
- Steve de Graef: Steve de Graef is a Belgian-born composer, producer, and music director. He has composed several soundtracks, music for TV series, and worked on some of the most well-known Belgian films.