Show ContentsGrave History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Grave family

The surname Grave was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in North Holland, a province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Amsterdam, Haarlem and Hilversum. It was the seat of the old Counts of Holland. Seat of one of the oldest families is Brederode Castle near Haarlem. There are many old and quaint towns in the province. including Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam, and Monnikendam. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Grave family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grave research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1459, 1643, 1647, 1664, 1670, 1712, 1724, 1740, 1749 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Grave History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grave Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Greve, Grevelink, Greven, Grevan, Grevenbroch, Grevenbroeck, Grevencop, Grevenrode, Grevinck, Grave, Gravel, Gravenbrouck, Graveneck, Gravenhorst, Gravenstein and many more.

Early Notables of the Grave family

From this era of Dutch history, those of this who distinguished themselves included

  • Josua de Grave (1643-1712), a Dutch Golden Age painter

Grave Ranking

In France, the name Grave is the 2,813rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 1


United States Grave migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Grave Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mrs. Elnor Grave, (Graye), who arrived in Virginia in 1608 aboard the ship "Susan" 2
  • Mrs. John Grave, Jr., (Graye), who arrived in Virginia in 1608 aboard the ship "Susan" 2
  • Mrs. John Grave, Jr., (Graye), who arrived in Virginia in 160 aboard the ship "Susan" 2
  • Mr. George Grave, (Graye), who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 2
  • George Grave settled with his wife Elnor and son, John, aged 10, in Virginia in 1620
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Grave Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Grave, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 3
  • Johannes Grave, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 3
  • Nicolaus Grave, who landed in America in 1783 3
Grave Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Marg Grave, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 3
  • Jonathan Grave, who landed in New York in 1827 3
  • Elis Grave, who arrived in America in 1844 3
  • Heinrich Grave, aged 22, who landed in Missouri in 1845 3
  • Joh B Grave, aged 4, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Grave migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Grave Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Bertha Grave, aged 20, who landed in Quebec in 1868
  • Mathilde Grave, aged 18, who arrived in Quebec in 1868

Australia Grave migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Grave Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Grave, aged 40, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 4

New Zealand Grave migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Grave Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Abel Grave, aged 31, a shoemaker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
  • Sarah Grave, aged 30, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
  • Joseph Summers Grave, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
  • Mr. Abel Grave, (b. 1811), aged 31, British shoemaker travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 5
  • Mrs. Sarah Grave, (b. 1812), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Grave (post 1700) +

  • Frederick David Grave (b. 1889), American politician, Delegate to Connecticut convention to ratify 21st amendment at-large, 1933 6
  • Franz Grave (1932-2022), German Catholic prelate who served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Essen from 1988 until his retirement in 2008
  • Ivan Platonovich Grave (1874-1960), Russian and Soviet scientist in the field of artillery, Major General of the Engineer Corps (1942)
  • Dmitry Aleksandrovich Grave (1863-1939), Russian and Soviet mathematician
  • Pierre Marie de Grave, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 7


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  3. 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)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) GELLERT 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Gellert.htm
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 6) Pierre Grave. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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