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

Graver, 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 Graver surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Graver in America

Graver is the 12584th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Graver surname appeared 2,460 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Graver.

We can also compare 2010 data for Graver 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 Graver

The surname Graver has its origins in England and can be traced back to the mid-13th century. It derives from the Old English word "grafere," which referred to an engraver or sculptor. The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is listed as "Richard le Gravere."

Throughout the medieval period, the Graver surname was predominantly found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. In the 14th century, records show individuals with the name Graver living in villages such as Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire and Thatcham in Berkshire. The name is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1327, indicating its presence in the region.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Graver was William Graver, who was born in Thatcham, Berkshire, in 1412. He was a skilled woodcarver and is believed to have worked on the construction of several churches in the area, though his specific contributions remain uncertain.

In the 16th century, the Graver surname gained prominence when John Graver (1560-1637) became a renowned engraver and printmaker in London. He was known for his intricate engravings of religious scenes and portraits, which were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy patrons of the arts.

Another notable individual was Thomas Graver (1588-1656), a scholar and clergyman from Oxfordshire. He attended Oxford University and later became the rector of Drayton Parslow in Buckinghamshire, where he served for over 30 years.

During the 17th century, the Graver surname spread beyond its traditional strongholds in southern England. Records show individuals with this name living in places like Yorkshire and Lancashire, suggesting migration patterns within the country.

One noteworthy figure from this period was Richard Graver (1635-1704), a merchant from Bristol who made his fortune in the transatlantic trade. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes between England and the American colonies, contributing to the city's economic growth.

As the centuries passed, the Graver surname continued to be associated with various professions, including artisans, clergy, and merchants. However, it remained relatively uncommon compared to other English surnames, reflecting its specific occupational origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Graver

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

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

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

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