Find out how popular the last name Graf is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Graf.

Graf, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Graf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Graf in America

Graf is the 2710th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Graf surname appeared 13,301 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Graf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Graf to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Graf

The surname GRAF originated in Germany and has its roots in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Graf," which means "count" or "earl." This name was initially given to individuals who held a position of nobility or high rank within the feudal system.

In the early medieval period, the term "Graf" referred to a high-ranking official who oversaw a county or territory on behalf of a sovereign. These Grafs wielded considerable power and influence within their respective domains. The name likely emerged as a way to identify individuals associated with this esteemed position.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GRAF can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval documents from Saxony. This codex, which dates back to the 12th century, mentions several individuals bearing the name GRAF, indicating its widespread use during that time.

The name GRAF also appears in various historical records and manuscripts throughout the centuries. For example, in the 14th century, a certain Heinrich GRAF is mentioned in the Annales Guelpherbytani, a chronicle of events in the Brunswick region.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname GRAF throughout history are:

1. Andreas GRAF (1630-1701), a German composer and organist known for his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude.
2. Johann GRAF (1684-1750), a Swiss mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the study of optics and the nature of light.
3. Johann Heinrich GRAF (1786-1876), a German writer and philosopher known for his works on ethics and aesthetics.
4. Arturo GRAF (1848-1913), an Italian poet, literary critic, and scholar who played a significant role in the development of Italian literature.
5. Max GRAF (1873-1958), a Swiss writer and academic who specialized in the study of classical literature and philosophy.

The surname GRAF is still prevalent in German-speaking countries, as well as in regions where German immigrants settled. It has also been subject to various spellings and variations over time, such as Graff, Grafe, and Gräf, reflecting regional variations and linguistic adaptations.

While the name GRAF may have lost some of its direct association with nobility in modern times, it continues to carry a sense of prestige and historical significance, serving as a testament to its rich heritage and the influential role its bearers played in shaping the course of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Graf

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Graf.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Graf was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Graf has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Graf was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Graf, please contact us.

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