Surname Hochgräf - Meaning and Origin

Hochgräf: What does the surname Hochgräf mean?

The last name Hochgräf is an old German name which is made up two separate elements. The first element, ‘hoch’, is derived from the German word for ‘high’ or ‘tall’, and typically indicates somebody who was of tall stature. The second element, ‘gräf’, comes from a German word meaning ‘count’, and is a common ending for German surnames.

Put together, the name Hochgräf can be interpreted to mean ‘Tall Count’ or ‘High Rank’, suggesting somebody who once held a high social rank. It could even refer to somebody of noble or royal blood. Beyond its obvious meanings, the name could also have symbolic connections to more elevated ideas of grandeur and largeness of spirit.

Surnames in old Europe often represented a family’s coat-of-arms, and so it’s likely that the name Hochgräf is connected to certain heraldic symbols. These are likely to relate to some combination of height, royalty, or power.

It is not known how many people carried the name Hochgräf in old Europe, but given the name’s present rarity, it is likely that it was not extremely widespread. Today, descendants of the original bearers of this name remain in Germany, although their numbers are few.

Regardless of its original origins, the name Hochgräf remains a striking example of the many interesting surnames which emerged throughout Europe in medieval times, with their unique combinations of words and concepts. It is a reminder of the creativity that gave rise to combining the often symbolic elements of past times, all represented in a single name.

Hochgräf: Where does the name Hochgräf come from?

The last name Hochgräf is a fairly common German surname. It can be found in various regions throughout Germany including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, Hesse, and Hamburg.

The moniker is derived from two German words, 'Hoch' and 'Gräf' which translate in English to 'high' and 'count', respectively. It is believed to have come about in the early Middle Ages as a patronymic nickname, used to refer to an individual of higher social status.

Due to the name's strong connection with German culture, it is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among areas with large German populations, such as Pennsylvania, Texas, Ontario, and the East Coast of Australia.

Though rarer, the name can also be found across parts of Scandinavia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, France and the United Kingdom amongst other European countries with strong German influences.

In terms of modern day usage, the name Hochgräf can most definitely be found in German territories and in areas with heavy German immigration. It is worth noting however that, although still distinguished by law, German-sounding names in the United States have become less popular following the events of World War II, in which Germany was branded the enemy. Thus, it may be slightly more challenging to find the name, especially in certain American states.

Variations of the surname Hochgräf

Hochgräf is a German surname that is derived from the German word “hoch,” meaning “high” and “gräf” meaning “count.” Thus, the original meaning of the name was “high count” or “high ranking nobleman.” It is a popular surname in Germany, but can be found within other countries of Germanic descent, such as the United States, Canada and Argentina.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of the Hochgräf surname include:

-Hochgraeef

-Hochgraeff

-Hochgraf

-Hochgreef

-Hochgraff

-Hochgraeve

-Hoogerhage

-Hoogerheide

-Hoogerhuis

-Hoogeri

-Hoogerland

-Hochgraber

-Hochgräver

-Höchgeraff

-Högraf

-Högrafen

-Höger

-Högerhau

-Högerlein

-Högermann

These are just a few of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of the Hochgräf surname. As mentioned earlier, the name is common in German speaking countries. Therefore, it is likely that many other variants exist. There is also the possibility that the spelling of certain variants could have changed over time as different people spell the name differently.

Famous people with the name Hochgräf

• Adelheid Hochgräf: German actress and singer
• Karin Hochgräf: German professor of Slavistics
• Josef Hochgräf: West German professional footballer
• Heinz-Adolf Hochgräf: German historian and socio-economic analyst
• Hugo Hochgräf: German graphic artist and designer
• Eduard Hochgräf: German politician and member of the German Bundestag
• Ferdinand Hochgräf: German gestalt psychologist
• Matthias Hochgräf: German footballer
• Tom Hochgräf: German musician and record producer
• Katja Hochgräf: German alpine ski racer
• Martin Hochgräf: German actor and presenter
• Christian Hochgräf: German field hockey player
• Frank Hochgräf: German field hockey player
• Johannes Hochgräf: German musician

Other surnames

Hochgräfe