Surname Greven - Meaning and Origin

Greven: What does the surname Greven mean?

The surname Greven is of German origin. The name is derived from a place name in Hannover, Germany, and is believed to have been derived from the Old German words "graf" and "vin," meaning count and acre respectively. This indicates that the first bearer of the Greven surname was likely a landowner or nobleman.

The Greven surname is found in several countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and even Canada. Historically, individuals with the surname Greven were a family of Dutch merchants of eminence many centuries ago.

Over the years, individuals with the surname Greven have left their mark in various fields. Some notable individuals include David Eugene Gréven (1800–1883), a German entomologist, and Fredrik Gréven (1780-1841), a Swedish artist.

In present day, the surname Greven lives on as a legacy of the family who first bore it. It is a reminder of past generations who made a lasting impression on their communities. It is a reminder of how far this family has come and all they have achieved.

Greven: Where does the name Greven come from?

The last name Greven is most commonly found in Germany and parts of the Netherlands today. It is generally believed to have originated in Lower Saxony, with the earliest record of people with the last name being found in the town of Münster in 1545.

In Germany, Greven is most common in the northwestern states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The region of Münsterland, where the last name is thought to have originated, is still home to a significant number of Grevens. Similarly, the German-speaking parts of the Netherlands, including North and Central Brabant, also host a number of Grevens.

Within Germany and the Netherlands, the last name Greven tends to be concentrated in certain areas and not particularly widespread. However, some bearers of the name have moved to other countries, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The United States, Canada, and Australia, for instance, each have at least a small population of Grevens.

The last name, for the most part, remains concentrated in its homeland but has also developed a presence in other countries all over the world.

Variations of the surname Greven

The surname Greven is a German last name of Old German origin. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Greven include Griefen, Grivetey, Grofven, Greive, Grieben, and Griefner.

The spelling Griefen is the closest to the original German spelling of the surname Greven. This variant is commonly seen in German records dating back as early as the 16th century. Griers is the variant most commonly seen in the United States. Grivetey is a French spelling that was adopted by the French Huguenot immigrants from Germany to the United States in the early 1700s. Grofven is another variant of the name that was used in the German states prior to the Napoleonic era.

The surname Greive may be seen as an alternative spelling of Greven. It comes from the form Griefe which is composed of two different German words meaning “sorrow” and “friend”. This variant is more common in the Netherlands than in Germany. Grieben is a common variant of the name Greven that is frequently seen in the United States, Canada, and Germany. Griefner is an anglicized variant of Griefen that is more often seen in North American records.

Famous people with the name Greven

• A. J. Greven: Actor, writer and producer.
• Chris Greven: Former professional baseball player.
• Elissa Greven: Dancer in renowned musicals such as Broadway's Mamma Mia!
• John J. Greven: Professor of religion, mysticism and lifestyle at Princeton Theological Seminary.
• Leonie Greven: Dutch actress and model.
• Michael Greven: German theatre director and playwright.
• Sabine Greven: A Swiss professor specializing in communication, psychology and clinical psychology.
• Stephen Greven: Artist and collaborator with the Tate Modern in London.
• Thomas Greven: German concert violinist and La Petite Bande's leader.
• Thomas Greven: Chemical engineer and professor at the Technical University of Dresden.
• Trystan Greven: A theatre director, writer, and educator.

Other surnames

GreveGrever