Surname de Graf - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
de Graf: What does the surname de Graf mean?
The last name de Graf is derived from the Old French word "graf," which means a roughly cut piece of timber. It is a toponymic name, which means it was commonly used to indicate a person's place of origin. Originally, the name referred to someone from a village situated near a timber market, or from a family who earned their living by trading in timber products.
The first documented reference to the name de Graf is from the 11th century in Normandy, France. From there, the name spread to other regions of Europe, most notably Germany and the Netherlands. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to include variations such as Graff, Graffen, Graffe, Graffenreid, and Graf.
The name de Graf is a symbol of strength, endurance, and resilience. During the Middle Ages, the name was associated with a sense of stability and fartesie, which is why many families were eager to claim it as their own. Today, those who carry the last name de Graf are proud to be linked to its history and rich heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisde Graf: Where does the name de Graf come from?
The surname de Graf is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish name, a name commonly used by Ashkenazi Jews who began to settle in Europe in the 11th century. Historically, it was used by many noble families.
The origin of the name de Graf is from the German term Graf, meaning 'count' or 'head of a county'. It is believed that many de Grafs were of high rank in Europe and had a prominent place in their local communities. Records from 1095 show that the family was living in Rodingen, Germany, and the earliest member of the family was named Baron Jacob de Graf.
The name de Graf is still extremely common in regions of Germany and Austria. In recent years, more and more families with the name have migrated to Britain, the United States, and Canada, where they enjoy a successful integration, especially among the Jewish community. The name remains a reminder of the family's noble historical roots.
Presently, there are numerous people who bear the name de Graf, and they can be found in countries all around the world. Whether they carry on the family's long and proud standing in their local communities or forge a path of their own, the name de Graf remains a symbol of a rich heritage that still stands to this day.
Variations of the surname de Graf
The spelling of the surname de Graf can range from only the prefix de to various other spellings. The most common form is de Graf, but other spellings can include Degraf, De Graff, Degraff, and De Graaf. Variations of the name can also include not only the prefix de, but various suffixes, such as Graff, Graef, Graeve, Greve, Graff, and Griff.
Many of the variants of the name originated as patronymics, which are surnames derived from the name of the father. For instance, for a person named Graf, his child would be named Janssen Graf, or “John’s son Graf”. These patronymic derivations have been shortened over time to Degraf, De Graff, Degraff, and De Graaf.
As the name began to spread in Europe, local variations of the surname began to develop. For instance, in Germany, the Anglo-Saxon element “graf” became “greve” in the region’s dialect, causing the dialect to refer to the name as Degreve or Der Greve. Additionally, the Dutch and Flemish adopted the German “greve”, changing it to “graef”. This resulted in the variant De Graef, which is still used to this day.
Overall, the surname de Graf is known for having many variants and spellings. People named deGraf, DeGraff, DeGrave, Degraef, DeGraaf, Graeve, and more can all trace back to the same surname. The patronymic derivations of the surname make it easy to see the diverse variations.
Famous people with the name de Graf
- Hennie de Graaf: Dutch historian
- Carl de Graaf: Dutch racing cyclist
- Anne-Rae de Graaf: Dutch water polo player
- Stephen de Graaf: Dutch professional racing cyclist
- Wim de Graaf: Dutch painter
- Jan de Graaf: Dutch professional footballer
- François de Graaf: Dutch lawyer and pianist
- Pieter de Graaf: Dutch comedian and actor
- Ad de Graaf: Dutch classical organist
- Chris de Graaf: Canadian politician
- Inge de Graaf: Dutch television and film actress
- Paul de Graaf: Dutch comic book artist
- Robert de Graaf: Dutch physicist and professor
- Ton de Graaf: Dutch electronic music composer and audio programmer
- Wouter de Graaf: Dutch racing cyclist