Surname Landgraff - Meaning and Origin
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Landgraff: What does the surname Landgraff mean?
The last name Landgraff is German, derived from the Old German Lanthgraf, which is composed of two components Lanth, meaning 'land', and Graf, meaning 'count'.
In the Middle Ages, a count was an important nobleman who controlled a particular region, and was answerable to the king. This would have referred to a 'count of the land', hence the name Landgraff. They would have had power over governments, legal matters, churches, castles, and the military.
The surname is found in many parts of Germany, as well as Austria, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. It has also spread to some other regions of Europe, as well as the U.S., Canada and Australia. In some areas the name can be spelled Landgrab, Landgraf, and Lantgraf.
In the present day, Landgraff is a common surname, and may refer to a variety of individuals, from prominent business owners to renowned academic researchers.
Perhaps the most noticeable bearer of the name is the German composer Friedrich Landgraff (1879-1958) who wrote orchestral music, songs, and ballet music. His works remain popular today, and are regularly performed in concerts.
Overall, Landgraff is a unique surname, tracing its roots back to Medieval Germany. It is associated with both power and creativity, and will likely continue to be a common surname in the future.
Order DNA origin analysisLandgraff: Where does the name Landgraff come from?
The Landgraff surname is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the Midwestern and Appalachian regions. The surname has its earliest roots in Germany, where records suggest it was associated with a variety of places, from Bavaria to Prussia, since the 16th century. The Landgraff family likely left Germany in the early part of the 19th century, and records from Pennsylvania reveal that many from the Landgraff family settled in the Keystone State around this time.
The Landgraff surname can be found in a variety of US states today, though it is most commonly found in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. It is especially prevalent in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.
Today, the Landgraff surname is associated with a number of prominent families in the United States, including the Landgraffs of Wisconsin who were early pioneers in the American cheese industry. The Landgraffs are also associated with successful winemakers, particularly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Overall, the Landgraff surname is widely spread throughout America and is most commonly associated with Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Landgraff
The surname Landgraff has a number of variants, spellings and surnames which derive from it. These include Langgraff, Langgraaf, Langgraf, Langgraft, Langgreeff, Landeraff, Landgraber, Long-grave, and Longgraff.
The variant of Langgraff is most commonly recorded in Switzerland, while Langgraf is the German spelling. Langgraft and Long-grave are more commonly found in The Netherlands, with Langgreeff an alternate Dutch spelling. The variants of Landeraff and Landgraber are more commonly found in Austria. Longgraff is a more modern variant of the surname.
It is possible that the surname originated from a geographic location. There are places called Langgraaff in The Netherlands, Landgraff in Germany and Landeraff in Austria, which may be the source of the various surnames. In modern Dutch, a langgraaf translates to 'a long count', and may have been a title used of a ruler in the area.
Regardless of its origin, the Landgraff surname is associated with a number of other variants, spellings and surnames that have developed as the family moved across Europe over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Landgraff
- Frank Landgraff: German football manager
- Nathan Landgraff: American professional golfer
- Lara Landgraff: German Paralympic athlete
- Michael Landgraff: American lawyer and judge
- Jules Landgraff: French artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Kurt Landgraff: German physicist
- Barry Landgraff: American professional baseball player
- John Landgraff: American politician
- Harry Landgraff: American industrialist
- William Landgraff: American physician and surgeon
- Uwe Landgraff: German actor
- Fabian Landgraff: German artist and entrepreneur
- Rolf Landgraff: German economist
- Ingves Landgraff: Swedish-American musician
- Emma Landgraff: Swedish author
- Lore Landgraff: German composer
- Carl Landgraff: Italian physicist
- Sofia Landgraff: Swedish painter
- Jonas Landgraff: Swedish-American actor
- Andreas Landgraff: German author and screenwriter