Surname de Graaf - Meaning and Origin
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de Graaf: What does the surname de Graaf mean?
The surname de Graaf is of Dutch origin, and it was usually given to someone who held the title of graaf or count. This title is similar to the English titles of Earl or Viscount. In order for someone to be given a title of this nature, they often had to possess great wealth and land, or they were of noble birth. It is believed the title was usually passed from father to son.
The name itself translates to "of the count," which can be broken down further from the old Dutch words of graaf and graven. Graaf is a noun that translates to "count" or "earl," and graven translates to "digging." This indicative name isn't a reference to digging at all, but rather a reference to the ancient practice of counting the inhabitants of a given area during feudal lordship.
Today, the name has spread around the world. It has been recorded in various nations in which many Dutch immigrated to, as well as nations where Dutch traders settled such as Hungary, Romania, and Serbia.
Overall, the name de Graaf is indicative to someone of importance from a noble birth or possessing great wealth, who could be associated with a ranking comparable to a count.
Order DNA origin analysisde Graaf: Where does the name de Graaf come from?
The last name de Graaf is common today primarily in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking countries, such as Belgium and Suriname. This is because de Graaf is a common Dutch placename-derived surname, which indicates that the family of the bearer might have originated from a place named "Graaf." It is also a frequent surname in areas of German-speaking Europe that were historically part of the Dutch Confederation of the United Provinces.
De Graaf is a fairly common surname in the Netherlands, with an estimated 21,592 individuals bearing the name in 2020, making it the 37th most common name. In 2020 in Belgium, the name was more rare, with an estimate of only 3,419 individuals, making it the 108th most common name. Outside of Europe, the last name de Graaf is common in former Dutch colonies, particularly in South Africa, Indonesia, and Ghana, where the Dutch left a lasting impact on the culture.
Notably, de Graaf was the surname of the famous Dutch mathematician Johan de Graaf (1890-1956), an innovator in the field of integral and differential calculus as well as linear algebra and probability theory. His work would later serve as the foundation for the mathematical field of stochastics.
Variations of the surname de Graaf
The Dutch surname de Graaf is decended from the medieval Dutch noun, graaf which means "count". The two main variants of this surname are De Graeffee, which indicates patrilineal descent, and Degraef, which indicates matrilineal descent. As well as these two variants, the surname has several alternate spellings, such as DeGraef, DeGraaff, Degraeve, Degraff, and Degraf.
As the de Graaf surname originated in the Netherlands, there are also regional variants, such as Batterman, Brodag, Brodidit, Burgraf, Coenraet, and Graeverhof. Some other regional names include Graeee, Greuver, Grurner, Guaaf, and Vixen.
The surname de Graaf is also found in Ireland, where variations include Creace, Graa, Graaf, Graafen, Graffen, Graffe, Grafey, Graffy, Gragh, Gräf, Graffer, Graffina and Gräffe. In the United States, the common variants for this surname are Grafe, Graff, Graft, Grafft, and Graffy.
The de Graaf surname is also found in other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Canada, Philippines, Norway, Scotland and Sweden. In South Africa, the variants are De Graaf and Degraaff.
In summary, the de Graaf surname has numerous variants, spellings and regional surnames due its origin in the Netherlands and subsequent spread of this surname to other countries.
Famous people with the name de Graaf
- Willem de Graaf (1927: 2019): Dutch politician, serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party
- Remco de Graaf (born 1958): Dutch wave scientist and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton
- Adriaen de Graeff (1571: 1638): Dutch mayor of Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age
- Joost de Graaf (1962: 2006): Dutch mathematician and game theory specialist
- Wilhelmina de Graaff (1889 : 1951): Dutch writer and writer on gender issues
- Frans de Graaf (born 1942): Dutch sculptor and graphic artist
- David de Graaf (born 1989): Dutch concert pianist and Steinway Artist
- Juriaan de Graaf (1680: 1750): Dutch organist, keyboard teacher and composer
- Salomon de Graaff (1662: 1715): Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver
- Henk de Graaf (1925: 1999): Dutch rower who competed in the men's coxless pair event at the 1952 Summer Olympics