Surname Grab - Meaning and Origin
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Grab: What does the surname Grab mean?
The origin of last name Grab is typically German, and is derived from the word "graben" meaning "to dig". It is believed to have been derived from people who were steeped in the literal and figurative aspects of soil and earth. Those with this last name would be found working as farmers, miners, and often worked in the rolling hills and valleys of Germany.
The last name Grab was probably used as an occupational name for a digger due to the enhanced productivity of the region’s soil. It was also used as a nickname for crafty people who thought of out of the box ways to find resourceful means of sustenance and survival. Over time, the surname was blended with other Germanic surnames, and it eventually emerged as a recognizable family name.
The name Grab was considered by many medieval German people to have protective powers and gave a sense of safety and security to those with the surname. The name is particularly associated with eagles and is believed to bring luck to its holder. Today, those with the last name Grab are located mainly in Germany and locations that were formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For example, a significant amount of Grab individuals can be found in Hungary and other parts of Eastern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisGrab: Where does the name Grab come from?
The last name Grab is most commonly found in areas such as Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, and Ukraine. It is likely of Germanic origin, as the word grab means “rake” in Old High German.
In Austria, the Grab family traces its roots to the medieval city of Hall, and today the Austrian Grab family is concentrated in the Tyrol region. In Croatia, the Grab family is connected to the noble family from the island of Hvar and other areas along the Adriatic Coast.The region was home to many varieties of Germanic, Slavic, and Balkan people like the Croats, Serbs, and Bosnians.
In Switzerland, the Grab family is found in the Canton of Zurich, where the original Grab family was first recorded in the year 1270. The Grab family also has strong connections to Serbia and Ukraine, with many members of the Grab family emigrating from those countries in recent times.
The last name Grab can also be found in the United States. The earliest recorded Grab family in America was found in Pennsylvania, where Johannes Grab moved in 1750. After that, many more members of the Grab family migrated to America and established roots in various states across the country, from California to New York.
Variations of the surname Grab
The surname Grab has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations of the name Grab are Grebe, Graab, Grebbe, Graeb, Grabe, Grebb, Graebb, and Graeff.
These variants come from the Germanic word “graben” or “groeben” which means “a trench or deep ditch”. Historically, this name was a topographical nickname for someone who lived near or within a trench or ditch, or who was a digger or miner of such features.
The earliest known person with the last name Grab was recorded in 1339. There is a Grab family that can be traced back to 1650 in Germany. This family has held nobility status and is mentioned in the poetical works of Schiller.
The name Grab is also similar to the German surname of Grabe, which is derived from “Groeb”, meaning “grave” and, like Grab, was likely used to indicate a person that lived close to a trench or ditch.
The name Grab is also found in some areas as a patronymic name, such as “Grabosch”, which means “descendant of Grab”, and “Grabner”, meaning “son of Grab”.
In the English speaking countries, Grab is often shortened or Anglicized to Graab, Grebe, or Grebb. The surname is also found as spelt Graebb or Graeff, both of which are phonetic spelling variations of the same name.
Overall, Grab and its variants have been found throughout various countries and cultures worldwide. The variations in spelling are numerous and range from phonetic variations to regional variations.
Famous people with the name Grab
- Maggie Grab, an American professional ultra-marathoner and sponsored athlete.
- Alex Grab, an American sculptor and painter.
- Viggo Grab, a Swedish powerlifter who competed at the IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships.
- Mandy Grab, an Austrian alpine ski racer.
- Michael Grab, an American geologist and rock climber.
- Magnus Grab, a Swedish entrepreneur and lobbyist.
- Martin Grab, an American electrical engineer and author.
- Jean-Baptiste Grab, a French classical painter.
- Monika Grab, an Austrian Paralympic alpine skier.
- Robert Grab, a German songwriter and composer.