Surname Degraeve - Meaning and Origin
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Degraeve: What does the surname Degraeve mean?
The last name Degraeve is of Belgian origin, derived from the Dutch word graven, which translates to mean "gravedigger." It is a very old Dutch/Belgian name and was likely used as a name to identify someone whose occupation was a gravedigger or stone mason. It is also sometimes spelled DeGrave, De Grave, de Grave, or DeGrave.
The earliest recorded instances of the Degraeve name can be traced back to the village of Termonde, East Flanders in the year 1437. From here, the name slowly spread throughout Belgium and Holland as well as Luxembourg and France. It is believed many of the individuals with the Degraeve surname moved to France shortly after its independence was declared in 1830.
Today, the Degraeve name is most commonly associated with the city of Iwerne Minster in the United Kingdom. Notable people who bear the Degraeve name include Jean Degraeve, a writer and teacher, and Roger Degraeve, a politician.
Despite its ultimate Dutch/Belgian roots, the Degraeve surname is unique and has stood the test of time, holding meaning to many generations as a reminder of ancient occupational roots.
Order DNA origin analysisDegraeve: Where does the name Degraeve come from?
The Degraeve surname is especially common today in the Flanders region of Belgium. It is also present in other regions, including northern France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The De Graeff family were originally from the Flanders region of Belgium and their name comes from the Flemish word 'graeve' which means 'grave', possibly referring to someone who worked at a cemetery or graveyard.
The surname Degraeve is mainly concentrated in the Flanders region, where the majority of records of this surname are found. This is partly due to the Dutch language origins of the surname, the Dutch language being widely used in Flanders. There is also a corresponding name in French-speaking Wallonia of the same family - De Greve.
Some members of the Degraeve family have migrated to other countries, but the majority of the surname holders remain in Flanders. The Degraeve name is the 94th most common last name in the region and is found in larger numbers in the provinces Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, and East Flanders. Most of the population with the last name is concentrated in Antwerp.
The Degraeve family has a rich history in Flanders and is still well represented in the region today. It is likely that the surname will remain focused in this area for the foreseeable future.
Variations of the surname Degraeve
The surname Degraeve is of Dutch origin and has several variant spellings and surnames. Degrave, D’Graeve, and DeGrave are among the most common variations. Other spellings of this surname include De Grava, Degraaf, De Grate, Degraef, DeGraff, DeGraeve, De Grapple, deGrave, DeGraaurus, Degrauw, Degrauze, DeGroff, DeGroot, DeGrove, Graeff, Grafe, Graffe, Graffs, and Grave.
The meaning behind the surname Degraeve is typically associated with working the land. Early forms of the name were derived from the word ‘Graven’ which is derived from the Dutch word for ‘digging’. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the phrase ‘de Graven’, which roughly translates to ‘the Counts’. These interpretations suggest that the original surname holders may have played a role in local government, such as being a count or landowner who spent much of their time working the land.
Most variations of the Degraeve name typically have a similar origin and meaning. Many of the variant spellings have their roots in Holland, where the name is more widely known. For instance, other common variations of the surname Degraeve include DeGraaf, DeGroff, and DeGroot, all of which are derived from Holland. A few variations of the surname have been known to be used in other countries, such as DeGraaff, which is used in parts of Germany.
Overall, the surname Degraeve has many variant spellings and surnames, all of which are derived from a Dutch origin. The name has been attributed to local government roles and landowner roles, typically signifying a purpose in working the land. It is likely that other variations of the surname have been used in other countries, as the name is most prominent in Holland.
Famous people with the name Degraeve
- Thomas Degraeve: Thomas Degraeve is a French actor and singer, best known for his roles in films and television series such as Désenchantée, Un Village Français and La Cerise sur le Gâteau.
- Laurent Degraeve: Laurent Degraeve is a French actor and director, as well as a theater professor, best known for his work on films such as Les Visiteuses, Un Cœur en Hiver and Les Zozos.
- Eric Degraeve: Eric Degraeve is a French film director, best known for his work on the hit cult film Le Pacte des Loups.
- Cur tulius Degraeve: Cur tulius Degraeve is a Belgian television presenter and actor, best known for his roles in films such as Tamara and The Believers.
- Jean-Paul Degraeve: Jean-Paul Degraeve is a Belgian film director and screenwriter, best known for his work on films such as Des Hommes et des Dieux and La Vie à Venir.
- Coleta Degraeve: Coleta Degraeve is a Belgian actress best known for her roles in films such as The Memory of a Killer and De571.
- Frédéric Degraeve: Frédéric Degraeve is a Belgian musician, composer and photographer, best known for his work on the film Ronnie Commences, as well as his series of musical works.
- Jean Degraeve: Jean Degraeve is a Belgian artist and set designer, best known for his designs in films such as Jeune et Jolie and Le Passe.
- Paul Degraeve: Paul Degraeve is a Belgian film director and screenwriter, best known for his work on films such as My Life in Pink and Seul Contre Tous.