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

Grahl, 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 Grahl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Grahl in America

Grahl is the 32710th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Grahl surname appeared 702 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Grahl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Grahl 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 Grahl

The surname Grahl originates from Germany, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "grau," meaning "gray" or "old," potentially referring to an individual's physical appearance or age.

In the 14th century, the name Grahl appeared in several historical records, including the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of documents related to the Margraviate of Brandenburg. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Johann Grahl, a farmer from the town of Torgau, who was mentioned in a land transaction record from 1387.

The Grahl surname has also been linked to various place names in Germany, such as Grahlen, a small village in Lower Saxony. This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the name based on their place of origin or residence.

Notably, in the 16th century, a prominent figure named Hans Grahl (1525-1591) gained recognition as a renowned theologian and reformer in Wittenberg, where he worked closely with Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. His theological writings and contributions to the Protestant Reformation left a lasting impact.

Another notable bearer of the Grahl surname was Johann Gottfried Grahl (1684-1738), a German composer and organist who lived during the Baroque period. He is best known for his organ works and sacred compositions, which were highly regarded in his time.

In the 19th century, the Grahl surname was also associated with the German-American immigrant community. One example is Carl Friedrich Grahl (1810-1892), a skilled woodcarver who emigrated from Saxony to Wisconsin in the United States. His intricate woodcarvings adorned several churches and buildings in the region, contributing to the preservation of traditional German art and craftsmanship.

Another individual of note was Wilhelm Grahl (1837-1899), a German-born American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Davenport, Iowa, in the late 19th century. He played a significant role in the city's development and growth during his tenure.

Over the centuries, the Grahl surname has been documented in various historical records, solidifying its place in German and German-American history. While the name's origins may be rooted in simple descriptions of physical attributes or locations, its bearers have left their mark across various fields, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Grahl

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

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

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

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