Surname Grefe - Meaning and Origin

Grefe: What does the surname Grefe mean?

The last name Grefe is a German surname derived from the words greif, meaning “grip,” and fe, meaning “faith.” It is thought that this name originated from an area known as Greifen, a region that was once inhabited by the Greifen people, who had a strong sense of faith and courage.

The earliest origins of the Grefe surname can be traced back to the Thuringian region of Germany. It is likely that the Grefe family name is derived from the group of Thuringian tribes known as “Grafen.” The suffix “-fe” was at one time also used to denote a lover of the same line of kinsmen.

In many areas of Germany, the Grefe surname is still one of the most popular family names. It is common to find individuals from this line of heritage living in both rural and urban areas of the country. Even though Germany has gone through a lot of changes over the centuries, the Grefe surname has remained consistent throughout the years.

Today, the Grefe surname is still highly associated with those of German descent. It is a popular choice for German immigrants living in other countries and is often adopted in order to honor their heritage and provide future generations with a lasting legacy.

Grefe: Where does the name Grefe come from?

The last name Grefe is most commonly found today in Germany, due to the significant German population in the US and Canada. In Germany, the last name is commonly associated with families living in the western and southwest areas, with a particularly high frequency in the state of Saxony. In this state alone, the last name accounted for almost 1,800 individuals in 2019.

In the United States, the surname Grefe is found mainly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Jersey with an estimated 2,000 individuals across the country. However, the surname is also found in other areas of the nation such as Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona.

Canada has a smaller population of Grefes with only 350 individuals with the last name residing there. The highest concentrations are found in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

In addition to Germany, the US, and Canada, the last name Grefe is also found in other countries with significant German populations such as Luxembourg and Austria. Although it is a relatively uncommon surname, one can find Grefes scattered throughout the world today with a prevalence of families found in many different countries.

Variations of the surname Grefe

The surname Grefe is believed to have its origins in Germany. It is a variation of the name Groeffe, Griefe, or Greffen. In some cases, the name may also be spelled as Grieve or Greve.

In Germany, the Grefe surname is usually associated with the Westphalian region. It is also found in the Netherlands, with most Dutch families bearing the name being of Frisian or Saxon descent.

Variants of the Grefe surname include Greiff, Greff, Grieff, Grief, Griefe, Greffen, and Greve. In some cases, the spelling in Germany may be slightly different, for example, Groeffe.

The Grefe surname has been conducted to America via German immigrants in Pennsylvania. In the United States, the Grefe surname has been recorded in various forms, including Grefe, Graefen, Greffen, Greffin, Greff, Griefen, Grief, Griefe, Greve, Grieve, Grieson, Grieff, and Graff.

The Grefe surname is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. In these countries, the surname may be spelled and pronounced differently due to different languages and dialects. For example, in the Czech Republic it is spelled Grof and in Romania it is spelled Grof. In addition, the Grefe surname may be encountered in other countries around the world as a consequence of migrations.

Famous people with the name Grefe

• Jonathan Grefe: He is the founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and the International Co-ordinating Network on Palestine (ICNP). He is a former civil rights activist and was also a diplomat at the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations in 1999.
• Lisa Grefe: She is a professional equestrian show jumper, representing Germany, and an Olympic gold medallist in show jumping.
• Chris Grefe: He is the founder, CEO and co-chairman of Relax Harder, a company that designs and sells custom outdoor furniture and gifts.
• Adam Grefe: He is a senior producer at IGN, a media website focused on gaming news.
• Frank Grefe: He is the regional director for countries in the Asia-Pacific region of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Carl Grefe: He is a radiologist and the director of the Radiology and Imaging Department at the Harvard Medical School.
• David Grefe: He is a retired professor of law at the University of Ohio, specializing in environmental law and policy.
• Paul Grefe: He is a lawyer and the president of the American Bar Association (ABA).
• Mark Grefe: He is an actor and contestant on the reality TV show, The Amazing Race.
• Samantha Grefe: She is a well-known fashion model and the winner of the Miss USA pageant in 2015.

Other surnames

Grefen