Graf Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Graf surname: its meaning, its roots in Germany, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Graf name
Graf comes from Middle High German grāve, "count". It was rarely borne by counts themselves; it usually named a count's servant, a local official such as a judge or reeve, or someone who behaved like a lord. The surname is especially common in southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Grave and Greve are the northern forms.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Graf name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Graf name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Switzerland, Austria and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Graf family history
The researched Graf pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Graf coat of arms.
Graf name FAQ
What does the Graf name mean?
Count; reeve. Common variants include Graff, Grave, Greve.
Where does the Graf surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Switzerland, Austria and the United States.
Is there a Graf coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Graf crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Graf coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).