Surname Holdgreve - Meaning and Origin
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Holdgreve: What does the surname Holdgreve mean?
The last name Holdgreve is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "hold", meaning "careful, considerate", and "greve", which is a title belonging to the lesser nobility, originating from the Middle Low German "greve".
The name Holdgreve is associated with being dependable, reliable and resilient. In German genealogy records, older variants of the name included Holdegreve, Holdgrave and almost always include "hold" to reflect the original connotations.
Holdgreve first appears for German records in 1729 with the birth of Anna Catharina Holdgreve von Stolp in Prussia. The early records show bearers of the name to be employed in prominent careers such as landlords, landowners and even members of the military.
Today, Holdgreve is still found mainly in Germany with some in Austria, U.K. and U.S.A. In general, it is seen as a strong, highly respectable name that connotes dependability, loyalty and reliability. It may be a good choice for those who identify with these qualities and want their name to reflect those traits.
Order DNA origin analysisHoldgreve: Where does the name Holdgreve come from?
The last name Holdgreve is most commonly found in Germany today. It is not widespread throughout the country, but is thought to have first appeared there. The last name is believed to have originated around the 1400s, though it could have been around earlier. The name is derived from two German words, hold, meaning bold and greve, meaning guardian or custodian.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, variants of the Holdgreve surname could be found in records scattered throughout northern and central Germany. Additionally, records show movement of the Holdgreve surname throughout Europe, with some members of the family living in Austria and other places during this time.
As of 2020, the Holdgreve surname can be found in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, as well as other countries throughout Europe. There is also a small, but growing, population in the United States. Results of a 2020 survey by the US Census Bureau showed that the Holdgreve name appears in at least 32 states within the US, making it a fairly uncommon surname.
Overall, the last name Holdgreve is mostly found in Germany today, but there are also populations in Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States. As a result of its European origins, the last name is most commonly found in Europe, although its presence in the U.S. is increasing.
Variations of the surname Holdgreve
The surname Holdgreve is a German and Danish patronymic surname, derived from the Middle High German personal name and title 'Holtgrave' meaning 'forest count'. This surname has been in existence since pre-medieval times and is still in use today.
Variants of Holdgreve include Holdersgrave, Holdersgrewe, Holdersgrewe, Holdersgraven and Höltgrevey. Sometimes the spelling is changed slightly such as Holdegrave, Holgreve and Hölpgrevey.
Holdgreve can also appear as a matronymic surname, derived from a female ancestor's personal name. This could be Höldgrevin, Holtpryssin, Hoeldegrevin, Holdegrivin, Haltpryssin and Hörlgreevin.
Surnames of similar origin include Holtegräf, Höltegräf, Holtacker, Höltaker and Höllegegraf. These are German topographical surnames which also refer to a person who resided near a forest.
The Holdgreve surname is still in use today. It is a common surname throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and the United States.
Famous people with the name Holdgreve
- Lo Holden Holdgreve: professional lacrosse player.
- John Holdgreve: businessman and newspaper founder.
- Paul Holdgreve: Academy Award nominated actor.
- Ekatarina Holdgreve: author and civil rights activist.
- Davis Holdgreve: six-time NBA All-Star.
- Kehinde Holdgreve: Olympic athlete and medalist.
- Millie Holdgreve: stage and film actress.
- Landon Holdgreve: songwriter and composer.
- Sacha Holdgreve: fashion designer.
- Nancy Holdgreve: Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter.