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

Graham, 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 Graham surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Graham in America

Graham is the 70052nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Graham surname appeared 261 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Graham.

The history of the last name Graham

The surname Grahame originates from Scotland, with its roots in the ancient Barony of Graham in the Scottish Borders. The earliest references to the name can be traced back to the early medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "grāf" meaning "gravel" and "hām" meaning "homestead" or "enclosure," indicating a gravelly homestead or settlement.

Historical records show that the name first appeared in the 12th century. One of the earliest mentions of the family is William de Graham, who witnessed the charter of Holyrood in 1128 during the reign of King David I of Scotland. The Grahams were significant landowners and played a crucial role in Scottish history. They held lands in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, establishing themselves as an influential family within the region.

Another early record includes a John de Grahame, who fought alongside William Wallace during the late 13th century Scottish Wars of Independence. This connection underscores the historical prominence of the Grahams in pivotal national events. The Grahame spelling is a variation that likely appeared in written records as scribes and officials recorded names phonetically, leading to multiple spellings over time.

The surname is also closely associated with the region of Montrose, where the family held significant estates. James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, born in 1612 and executed in 1650, is one of the most illustrious bearers of the surname. A notable royalist during the English Civil War, his military campaigns and loyalty to King Charles I of England have made his name synonymous with Scottish history.

Moving into the realm of literature, Robert Grahame (1759-1851) was known as a Scottish lawyer and poet, contributing to the cultural legacy of the surname. His works continue to be a testament to the Graham family's influence beyond just political and military spheres.

Sir John Grahame Douglas, a 19th-century diplomat born in 1813, further illustrates the global reach and importance of the name. His career spanned various international postings, reflecting the Grahame family's longstanding tradition of service and distinction.

In the 20th century, Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) emerged as a prominent author, best known for his classic children's book, "The Wind in the Willows." His work continues to garner admiration worldwide, ensuring the Grahame name remains a household word in literary circles.

The surname Grahame, with its rich history rooted in ancient Scotland, draws from both geographical and historical contexts. Through centuries, from medieval charters to modern literature, the name has maintained a significant presence, underlining its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Graham

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Graham 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.

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 Graham was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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