Surname Groff - Meaning and Origin
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Deciphering Human Legacy: The Tapestry of Ancestry Revealed Through the Surname Groff
Recently I embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery by taking an iGENEA DNA test. The results uncovered an intricate tapestry of diverse ancestry linked to my surname, Groff. Originally cultivating a monochromatic notion of family identity, this genealogical revelation has radically redefined my perception of the term 'identity,' injecting a newfound appreciation for the labyrinthine nature of human heritage.
M. Groff
read moreGroff: What does the surname Groff mean?
The last name Groff is of German and Dutch origin, and it likely derives from the Middle High German word "gruffen," meaning "to dig or excavate." The name likely referred to those who dug in the German and Dutch soils, either for mining, planting, or harvesting. Alternatively, it could have descended from a Germanic personal name beginning with the "graf/grof" root, which means "count, earl, or ruler."
Originally, the Groff surname would have been an occupational name referring to someone who purchased grain from the peasants and sold it in the cities. As such, many members of the Groff family would have been merchants or traders.
In later times, the Groff name became more associated with Deity and religion. One such Groff was Conrad Groff, a Swiss theologian in the 17th century. This association likely stemmed from the word “Grof/Graf” meaning “count” or “elder” to represent someone of higher standing in the faith.
Today the Groff surname is still quite common among individuals of both Dutch and German descent. Over the years, many famous figures have borne the Groff name, such as NASCAR driver David Groff, various notable musicians, athletes, and even scientists—all proving that the Groff name continues to live and represent its German and Dutch roots, as well as its association with Deity and higher social standing.
Order DNA origin analysisGroff: Where does the name Groff come from?
The last name Groff is most common in the United States today. In fact, the Groff surname is the 1846th most popular name in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The name is widely spread across the country, with the highest concentrations of people bearing the name living in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. States with the most Groffs include Pennyslvaina and Ohio, with the highest concentrations in the Lancaster, Dayton, and Harrisburg areas.
The Groff surname is also prevalent in northern Europe countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland, though the spelling is slightly different. In Germany, Groff is spelled "Graaff" and is reduced to "Graf" in some other countries.
The surname can be traced back to the mid 11th century. Groff is of Germanic origin derived from "Graf" meaning "Count," a high rank of nobility. It was adopted as a surname by the German nobility when surnames were adopted in the 11th century, as part of the Norman conquest of England.
Although the surname is derived from German, it has adopted a different spelling in almost all European countries. Today it is most common in the United States, but because of its noble lineage, its prevalence is found around the world.
Variations of the surname Groff
The surname Groff is a patronymic which originates from the German surname Graf. This surname is derived from the German word Graf which means "count". Variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin as Groff include Groffman, Graf, Grafman, Grof, Gruf, Grafe, Gräf, Graeff, Grafmann, Graff, Graffen, Graffenberger, Graffot, Graffort, Graffy, Graffin, Kraft, Kraff, Krafft, and Craff.
Groff is primarily found in the United States and Canada as a variant of German surnames which were adopted by immigrants. Graf is the most common spelling of the name and is found primarily in Germany (where it is the 15th most common surname), Austria, and Switzerland. The surname Groffman is a variant of the German Grafmann and is primarily found in the United States and Canada.
The spelling Grof is a Hungarian patronymic surname, also derived from the word Graf, which is the 12th most common surname in Hungary. It is also found in the United States and Canada. The surname Gruf is a variant of the German Graf and is used primarily in Austria and Germany.
The spelling Graeff is of Dutch origin, derived from the Graf surname and is primarily found in the Netherlands. Additionally, the surnames Grafmann, Graff, Graffen, Graffenberger, Graffot, Graffort, Graffy, and Graffin are all variants of German origins, while the surnames Kraft, Kraff, Krafft, and Craff are derived from the surname Graf and are spelled differently primarily because of dialectal or regional differences.
Famous people with the name Groff
- Jonathan Groff: Jonathan Groff is an American actor, singer and producer. He is best known for his roles in the television series Glee, Looking, and Mindhunter, as well as in the Broadway musicals Hamilton and Spring Awakening.
- Lea Michele: Lea Michele Sarfati is an American actress, singer and author. She is best known for her role as Rachel Berry on the Fox musical comedy-drama television series Glee.
- Dave Groff: Dave Groff is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. He has released several solo albums and been a member of several musical groups, including The Groffs, Groffkin, and The Groffs Brothers Band.
- Mark Groff: Mark Groff is an American actor and director. He has appeared in the television series Angel, Felicity, and Gilmore Girls, as well as in several films, including The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner.
- Ashley Groff: Ashley Groff is an American singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. She has released three albums to date, and has collaborated with fashion label Marc Jacobs on the song “Invisible Life” for their spring 2011 runway show.
- John Groff: John Groff is an American neurosurgeon and professor at the University of California, San Francisco. He has been published widely in the field of neurosurgery and is credited with the development of minimally invasive spine surgery.
- Nate Groff: Nate Groff is a former Major League Baseball player. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 24th round of the 2001 MLB Draft and played for the Athletics, the Detroit Tigers, and the Texas Rangers from 2004 to 2008.