Gräfe

Gräfe is a surname of German origin. It is believed to derive from the given name Graf, which means count or earl. The surname likely indicated a person who was a servant to, or held land from, a count. Variations of the surname include Graef, Graf, and Graffe. It is a relatively common surname in German-speaking countries.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gräfe are found in medieval German documents. Like many surnames, it likely became fixed as a hereditary title during the Middle Ages as populations grew and the need for clearer identification increased. Families bearing the Gräfe name spread across various regions of Germany over centuries.

In modern times, individuals with the Gräfe surname can be found in Germany and in countries with significant German immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The name is not prominently associated with any single historical event or famous individual, maintaining a more general presence in genealogical records and contemporary populations.