graf

Graf is a German noun meaning "count," a noble title used in the Holy Roman Empire and in German-speaking lands. A Graf ranked among the high nobility and typically governed a territory or held duties under the suzerainty of a higher ruler. The title corresponds to the English "count" and is used in forms such as "Graf von [Place]." The female title is Gräfin. In modern times the title is largely historical, and it has largely disappeared from everyday civil usage, but it remains visible in historical records and in some family names.

Graf is also a common surname in German-speaking regions. It can be derived from the title or from place-based or occupational origins. Notable individuals with this surname include Steffi Graf (born 1969), a German former professional tennis player who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles and is regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport.

Because of its dual role as a surname and a historical title, Graf appears in various biographical, genealogical, and historical contexts. In non-German languages, the word Graf is sometimes confused with "graph" or with surname variants in other languages. The plural form in historical contexts is Grafen.