Surname Gräwe - Meaning and Origin
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Gräwe: What does the surname Gräwe mean?
The last name Gräwe is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "grewen," meaning to mow or shear. The surname was most likely given to someone who held a position as a farmer, shephered, or more likely a barber/shearer. Notably, this was also a highly desirable job in the Middle Ages and could have brought considerable prestige.
The Gräwe surname first appears in records in the 1500s in central and northern Germany with some occurrences in East Prussia and Poland. The spelling variations of the name include Grae, Grah, Grahe, Grewe, and Grewen but are ultimately related to the same German root word.
Today, the Gräwe surname is found all around the world, particularly in Germany and the United States. The number of Gräwe families in the United States alone has increased by 1133% since 1880, making it one of the most common last names in the country.
Overall, the Gräwe surname is an occupational title that originated in Germany and has since spread to numerous countries around the world. The name signifies someone with a past in shearing, which would have provided them with a valuable livelihood in the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisGräwe: Where does the name Gräwe come from?
The last name Gräwe is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German surname meaning "goose", and belongs to the larger family of German surnames that are derived from the names of animals, birds, and beasts. The name Gräwe is particularly associated with the region of Westphalia, and is also found in other parts of Germany.
The Gräwe surname is found in family lines all over Germany, but it is especially common in the western region of the country. The largest concentrations of the name are located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hesse, with smaller pockets of families in numerous other regions. The surname is also found in smaller numbers throughout Europe, especially in countries such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as in other countries of German heritage — Austria, for example — and more recently in countries such as the United States and Canada.
Today, the surname Gräwe is relatively common in many parts of Germany. It is enriched by many members of the German diaspora, whose families have immigrated to other countries in search of opportunity — for business, for work, or simply in search of a better life. Although the name is still largely associated with the homeland of Germany, its presence is now truly a global one.
Variations of the surname Gräwe
The surname Gräwe is a German surname derived from the Middle Low German language. It is a habitational name, which means that it is derived from the name of a place or region. In this case, the name originates from the regions of Grawe in East Prussia (now Krasnystaw in Poland). Generally, the name is recorded as Grawe, Graewe, Graeve, Grawe, Gräwe, and Grauwe.
As an example, some bearers of the name Gräwe were recorded as Grawe in Breisgau in 1435, while another family by the same name was recorded as Grawe in 1578. These surnames were most likely all references to the same family, since Gräwe is a habitational name not associated with any particular clan or occupational status.
Other variants and spellings of the surname include (G)Graff, (G)Gräf, Grofe, Grof, Grope, Graupe, Graup, Grap, and Graff. Each of these variants is derived from the same Middle Low German root of Gräwe and have the same general meaning and origin.
Surnames derived from the Middle Low German root of Gräwe are predominantly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of Poland due to the regions from which the name originates. In addition, the surname implying from the same root have spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and other countries in South America.
Famous people with the name Gräwe
- Nikolaus Gräwe, German artist known for portraits and landscapes.
- Adolf Gräwe, German physician and professor of internal medicine.
- Uwe Gräwe, former German footballer.
- Peter Gräwe, German biologist.
- Wolfgang Gräwe, German television actor and comedian.
- Philipp Gräwe, German physicist.
- Maria Gräwe, German rower.
- Peter Gräwe, former East German boxer.
- David Gräwe, German experimental physicist and professor.
- Carola Gräwe, German TV producer.
- Karl Gräwe, German business executive.
- Ursula Gräwe, German writer.
- Fritz Gräwe, German actor.
- Patrick Gräwe, German faustball player.