The surname Graves is of English origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English ‘greyve’, Old Norman ‘greifi’, steward – a person in charge of property. The name may also signify a ‘dweller at the grove’; a grove being a small wood. It may also have been a nickname denoting the character of an individual; for one who was solemn, sedate or demure in character. To the French it was a topographical name for someone who lived on a patch of gravelly soil, from Old French ‘grave’, gravel ( of Celtic origin ). It may also be a cognate of the Low German Graf. It may also be derived from the Old Norman ‘Greifi’, a byname from Old Norman ‘greifi’, ‘grefe’, count, earl. The name dates back to the eleventh century were a Lefsi filius Greiue is recorded in historical archives.The name was brought to America predominately by English immigrants. One of the first fore fathers to bring this name to America is that of a Thomas Graves, who was one of the leaders of the leaders of the second party of colonists which…
Coat of arms: Gules an eagle displaed or, ducaly crowned argent on a canton of the last a…