Surname Grabher - Meaning and Origin

Grabher: What does the surname Grabher mean?

The last name Grabher is a German toponymic surname derived from the German word ‘Grab’ meaning ‘grave’, and the German word ‘Her(e)’ meaning ‘army’. This surname was used to indicate an individual who lived by a grave or cemetery.

The Grabher surname is most common in the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where the German language is predominantly spoken. It was likely first adopted as a surname by those living near a military graveyard or cemetery. The surname may also indicate someone who worked as a grave digger or a sexton, or a soldier in the German military.

The Grabher variations Grabear, Gräber, Graeber, Graiber, and Greaber have also been documented in German languages. Traditionally, a man's occupation determined the type of surname his family would receive, so Grabher also served as an occupational surname. It is most prevalent in Austria and Germany, yet is also found in other countries, such as Italy, Switzerland, and the United States.

In the 21st century, Grabher is still widely used as a surname. It may be seen on the streets of Vienna, the beaches of Barcelona, or the hallways of a Texas high school. It is a testament to its long and unique history, and to the people who carry the Grabher surname today.

Grabher: Where does the name Grabher come from?

The Grabher family is an Austrian and Tyrolean noble family that originates from the Middle Ages. Today, the Grabher name is scattered throughout Austria and Austria-related regions, as well as other parts of the world. It is most commonly found in the Austrian states of Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, and Carinthia, particularly in the rural farm hamlets of the area. It can also be found in parts of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.

In North America, the Grabher family name has been widely dispersed, especially among the descendants of the continental European immigrants who moved to Canada in the early 1900s, to the United States at the turn of the century, and to the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th centuries. Large concentrations of the family name can be found throughout the American Midwest, with Indiana having the largest number of Grabhers. Other concentrations are seen in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, and Ontario, Canada.

Outside of Europe and North America, the Grabher family name can be found particularly in South America, especially in Brazil and in Argentina. There are also small pockets of Grabhers in other parts of the world, including New Zealand, Thailand, India, and Egypt.

The Grabher family name is today primarily associated with Austria and Tyrol, as well as with descendants of the European immigrants who settled in North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Those with the family name are mostly employed in the agricultural sector while others have embraced new professions and continue to move around the world in search of a better life.

Variations of the surname Grabher

Grabher is a German surname that has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Grauber, which is found in both Germany and Austria. Other variants include Graebner, Graber, Graeber, Grahner, Graffner, Graffner, Graberth and Grabhart.

The origin of the surname Grabher is uncertain as it is found in various languages across Europe. It is a short form of the name Graubert, which is believed to come from the Old German “graber”, meaning “grave”. Thus, the name is likely to have started as a descriptor for someone who lived by a grave or was a gravedigger.

In addition to this, Grabher may be a further adaptation of an old Germanic name, such as Grimbald or Grimwald, or a variation of the surname Graf, which means “count” in German. It might also have a connection with the Dutch surname, Gravenberch, which means “grave mountain”.

The Grabher surname is also found in various other forms and branches over time, such as in the form Grahber, Graber, Grabenbauch, Grabenhofer, Grafberger, Grabenhorst and others. Additionally, it is also found in parts of Switzerland, including in the form Graabbert, Grabbvi, Grabevy, Graphber, Grapter and Grappher.

Overall, Grabher is a German surname with a wide variety of variants and spellings which have developed over time, and which all indicate the same roots and origin.

Famous people with the name Grabher

• Gisela Grabher: an Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
• Ernesto Grabher: a Chilean visual artist who is known for his abstract sculptures.
• Emmo Grabher: a Luxembourgian architect who has designed many buildings and projects around the country.
• Lorenzo Grabher: an Italian composer and musician who has written and produced soundtracks for films and television shows.
• John Grabher: an American soccer player who played for the Houston Dynamos from 2006-2008.
• Christopher Grabher: a British Olympic bobsledder who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Pauly Grabher: an Austrian snowboarder who competed in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Alexander Grabher: an Austrian cyclist who has won eight races in the Tour de Austria.
• Anton Grabher: an Austrian luger who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
• Viliam Grabher: a Slovakian footballer who is currently signed to the top-flight club Žilina.

Other surnames

Grabherr