Surname Grathwohl - Meaning and Origin

Grathwohl: What does the surname Grathwohl mean?

The last name Grathwohl is of German origin and is derived from the German word "graut," which translates to "grain." It is believed to have been an occupational name for a miller or a granary worker.

The Grathwohl family originated in the Upper Saxon region of Germany, likely in the mid- to late-17th century. The Grathwohl family name may also be found in other German speaking countries, as the name expanded to areas such as the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.

The defining characteristic of the Grathwohl family is its sense of tenacity and willingness to succeed. Records show that the family boasts a proud history of service to their communities and their country—they accomplished many feats during their time living in Germany.

Today, the Grathwohl family name can be found all around the world. Those of the Grathwohl family remain involved in their communities and are a source of pride and respect. Whether in the lineages of a businessperson, a doctor, a politician, or an athlete, the Grathwohl family name remains one to be respected.

Grathwohl: Where does the name Grathwohl come from?

The last name Grathwohl is commonly found today in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. It is derived from the Germanic elements “grath” (wedge) and “wohl” (good), and the surname translates roughly to “a good wedge” or “a fitting wedge”. The name can be traced back as far as the late 13th century to an area where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet in southwestern Germany.

In the United States, the surname is found primarily along the East Coast, where many German immigrants settled after leaving Europe. The states with the most records of the Grathwohl name are Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Wisconsin.

The Grathwohl surname has also been found in Gypsy (Romani) populations in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The name, in some cases, was adopted either as a type of protection or to hide the family’s origin.

The Grathwohl name continues to be an important part of German culture as well. The Grathwohl family in the Rhineland region has now existed for over seven centuries, and the members have distinguished themselves in many fields. Bakers, cooks, butchers, shoemakers, clockmakers, farmers, and many others have used the Grathwohl name. Today, some members of the family own restaurants, wineries, and other businesses in the area.

Variations of the surname Grathwohl

The Grathwohl surname has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling of Grathwohl is Graf, which is the German form of a title equivalent to Count or Earl. Other variants include Graff, Grafholz, Graffhölz, Grafohl, and Gratholz. In some cases the spelling Grathwohl is derived from the German word Grathwahl, which roughly translates to mean “to choose a ridge or peak.”

In terms of other surnames of the same origin, Grathwohl is related to several other surnames such as Grof, Grofholz, Groff, Groffhölz, Grofohl, and Graph. Occasionally, the name Grathwohl may be spelled with a K as in Kraph or Kraphwohl. In some cases, the spelling may have changed due to language or dialectic influences over time, and thus when researching the origin of the surname, it is important to look for spelling variations.

The Grathwohl surname may have originated in the regions of Germany, Austria, or other parts of Central Europe, and it is likely to have been derived from a place name. It is also possible that the Grathwohl surname may have originated as a patronymic name, created as a way to refer to the father or ancestor of the bearer of the name. As such, it may have been used as a way to show respect or honor one’s ancestry.

Overall, the Grathwohl surname has several variants, spellings and other names of the same origin, offering researchers a wide array of leads in terms of tracing the origin of the name and its ancestral roots.

Famous people with the name Grathwohl

• Fritz Grathwohl: film director, producer, and screenwriter
• Matthias Grathwohl: German politician
• Willi Grathwohl: UEFA referee
• Pat Grathwohl: American sailboat racer
• René Grathwohl: German footballer
• Werner Grathwohl: Swiss diplomat
• Betty Grathwohl: American actress
• Will Grathwohl: American actor
• Daniel Grathwohl: Austrian actor
• Lars Grathwohl: Danish soccer referee

Other surnames

Grathwol