Show ContentsGrahn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished Grahn family, which is thoroughly woven into the intricate tapestry of Scottish history, finds its origin with the proud Norman people. The name comes from the place Grantham in Lincolnshire, recorded in Domesday Book as Graham.

Early Origins of the Grahn family

The surname Grahn was first found in Midlothian, where they settled after accompanying Earl David of Huntingdon into Scotland during the 12th century. In 1128, King David I granted the lands of Abercorn and Dalkeith to William de Graham, who is the first recorded member of the Graham Clan in Scotland and was witness to several royal charters.

Henry de Graham inherited the estates of his father-in-law in Eskdale in 1243. Sir John de Grahame was a faithful companion of the Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace and was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.

"[Grahamston] derives its name from Sir John the Graham, who was killed here in the battle which Wallace fought with Edward I." [1]

Early History of the Grahn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grahn research. Another 422 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1128, 1237, 1298, 1427, 1450, 1464, 1488, 1505, 1513, 1548, 1603, 1608, 1612, 1634, 1648, 1650, 1680, 1689, 1694, 1695, 1702, 1707, 1715, 1745, 1782 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Grahn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grahn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Graham, Grahame, Graeme, Grame, Greumach (Gaelic), Montross and many more.

Early Notables of the Grahn family

Notable among the family at this time was William Graham, 4th Lord Graham (1464-1513), who became the Earl of Montrose in 1505; John Graham (1548-1608), 3rd Earl of Montrose was the Chancellor of the University of St Andrews; James Graham (1612-1650), 5th Earl and 1st Marquess of Montrose, a Scottish general in the English Civil Wars, who fought for the Royalists of Charles...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grahn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Grahn family to Ireland

Some of the Grahn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Grahn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Grahn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Martin Grahn, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1771 [2]
  • Friedrich Grahn, who landed in America in 1780 [2]
Grahn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. H. Ludwig Grahn, aged 26, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Dyle Soomes"
  • Peter Grahn, who landed in America in 1854 [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Grahn (post 1700) +

  • Bengt-Erik Grahn (1941-2019), Swedish alpine skier at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics
  • Wallis Grahn (1945-2018), Swedish actress


The Grahn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ne oublie
Motto Translation: Do not forget.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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