Surname Gräbel - Meaning and Origin
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Gräbel: What does the surname Gräbel mean?
The last name Gräbel is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German word ‘grab’ which translates to ‘ditch’ or ‘dyke’. This suggests that the Gräbel family may have originally been farmers or construction workers who built or maintained ditches in the Middle Ages.
The surname Gräbel could also be derived from a place name - ‘Gravele’. This place name appears on an old map of Germany, located near the river Rhine in the province of Westphalia. This suggests that the family may have migrated over a long period of time, or that the family originated from there.
Gräbel can also be found in the Swiss-German canton of Bern, where it is more likely to be of Swiss origin. In this case it could be derived from the word ‘grau’, meaning ‘grey’, which could be a reference to the colour of a person's hair, clothing, or something else associated with a family member.
The Gräbels have a long and interesting history, with a variety of possibilities for how the name was first created. It could have been farmers, ditch diggers, or people travelling from one place to another. Whatever the origin, the name Gräbel is a reminder of centuries of German history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisGräbel: Where does the name Gräbel come from?
The last name Gräbel is most common in Germany, according to surname distribution data from Forebears. It is mainly prevalent in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. There are also smaller concentrations of people bearing the Gräbel name in other areas of Europe, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in some countries in the Americas, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In North America, the last name Gräbel is mainly found in the eastern and northeastern areas of the United States and a few Canadian provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. In southern areas of the country, such as Texas and California, Gräbel is much less common.
In terms of the most populous states, Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Gräbels in the United States, with the majority living in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. New York and California have smaller concentrations, while New Jersey, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Minnesota also have significant numbers.
The number of Gräbels in the United States is relatively small, with an estimated 90 people in the 2000 US Census. It is unlikely that this number will increase significantly in the near future.
The last name Gräbel is thought to come from the German word meaning ‘grave’. Originally, it likely referred to a person who worked in a cemetery or who tended to the graves of the dead. Today, it is a relatively rare surname but is still found in areas of Germany, as well as in some parts of Europe and the Americas.
Variations of the surname Gräbel
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gräbel include Grabau, Graber, Grabner, Grebler and Graebel.
Grabau is a German surname from Lower Saxony and is derived from the medieval personal name, Grabo. It likely began with a family bearing the name who lived in the village of Grabau. The name Grabau is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.
Graber is a derivative of the name Grabo and is a common surname across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It’s derived from an Old High German nickname, Grabo, which was used to address a person who was physically strong and powerful. The surname Graber can also be considered a variant spelling of the spelling Graebel.
Grabner is also a derivative of the medieval personal name Grabo and is a common surname found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is likely derived from an occupational nickname referring to a worker who held sway in his field.
Grebler is also a German surname that began as an occupational name for someone who harvested grains. It is common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.
Graebel is an anglicized form of the surname Graeben which is a variation of the German surname Gräbel. It is believed to have referred to a builder or stone mason, and is a common surname in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.
Famous people with the name Gräbel
- Paul Gräbel: German lawyer and conservative politician
- Gottfried Gräbel: German lawyer and public servant
- Christian Gräbel: German footballer
- Emil Gräbel: Austrian rower and Olympic silver medalist
- Horst Gräbel: German weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist
- Karola Gräbel: German painter, graphic artist and art professor
- Franz Gräbel: Swiss industrialist and politician
- Alfred Gräbel: Swiss politician
- Friedrich Wilhelm Gräbel: German psychiatrist, neurologist and author
- Alfred Gräbel: Swiss stamp collector