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

Graves, 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 Graves surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Graves in America

Graves is the 371st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Graves surname appeared 84,179 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 29 people would have the surname Graves.

We can also compare 2010 data for Graves 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 Graves

The surname Graves has its origins in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "grave," which means a small brook or stream. This term was often used to describe a person who lived near a small brook or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Graves can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Graua." This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "atte Grave" and "de la Grave," indicating its connection to a specific location or landmark. As time passed, the name evolved into its modern spelling of "Graves."

One notable bearer of the Graves surname was Sir Thomas Graves (c. 1585-1653), an English soldier and politician who served as a member of Parliament during the English Civil War. Another prominent figure was Admiral Samuel Graves (1713-1787), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War.

In the literary world, Robert Graves (1895-1985), a renowned English poet, novelist, and scholar, made significant contributions to literature. His works, including "I, Claudius" and "The White Goddess," have left a lasting impact on readers worldwide.

The Graves surname also has connections to place names. For instance, the village of Gravesend in Kent, England, is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "grāf" meaning "grove" and "end" meaning "corner" or "remote place."

Other notable individuals bearing the Graves surname include Sir George Graves (1785-1835), an English naval officer and explorer, and Michael Graves (1934-2015), an influential American architect known for his postmodern designs.

Throughout history, the Graves surname has been present across various regions of England, with concentrations in counties like Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. While the name has evolved over time, its roots can be traced back to the early medieval period, reflecting the historical significance of this English surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Graves

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

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

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

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