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Graaf Family History

Graaf Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Graf, Graff, Graef, Raaf, Gray, Grass, Grau, Grant, Grave, Granat

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Graaf family from?

You can see how Graaf families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Graaf family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Graaf families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there was 1 Graaf family living in New York. This was 100% of all the recorded Graaf's in USA. New York had the highest population of Graaf families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Graaf surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Graaf ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Saleslady were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Graaf. 20% of Graaf men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Graaf women worked as a Saleslady. Some less common occupations for Americans named Graaf were Carpenter and Maid. .

View Census Data for Graaf | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    20%
  • Salesman
    10%
  • Laborer
    10%
  • Carpenter
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Saleslady
    34%
  • Bookkeeper
    34%
  • Maid
    34%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Graaf family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Graaf. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Graaf census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Graaf

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Graaf. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Graaf immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 504 military records available for the last name Graaf. For the veterans among your Graaf ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Graaf military records

You've only scratched the surface of Graaf family history

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What is the average Graaf lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2003, in the United States, Graaf life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1978, and highest in 1994. The average life expectancy for Graaf in 1962 was 64, and 88 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Graaf

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Graaf family tree

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