Surname Landgrave - Meaning and Origin
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Landgrave: What does the surname Landgrave mean?
The last name Landgrave is believed to have originally been a title associated with a type of nobleman in Germany, and likely originates from early Medieval times. It derives from the Middle High German phrase 'landgraaf', which translates to ‘earl of the land’ or ‘protector".
The title was typically given to a highly ranked nobleman who held authority over a certain region, or at least several areas in a region, and was usually higher ranking than a count or duke in medieval Europe. Those given the title were typically in charge of collecting taxes and ruling justice.
In many cases, certain families would take the title of Landgrave and pass it down to their descendants, eventually causing it to be used as a surname - hence, the modern ‘Landgrave’ surname.
The term can still be found today, often being used to refer to those who descend from such families, as well as certain members of certain German nobility who weren't quite high enough ranking to receive the title of Duke yet held a significant degree of power.
Order DNA origin analysisLandgrave: Where does the name Landgrave come from?
The Last Name Landgrave is common today in several parts of Germany. Most of the sources suggest that the Landgrave surname originated in Germany, and its origins can be traced back in the 15th century. Over the centuries, the name has spread throughout Europe, as well as the wider world.
In modern Germany, the Landgrave surname is most commonly found in the central states of Hesse, Thuringia, and Saxony. In these areas, the surnames can easily be traced back to its original medieval roots. Its popularity has been especially emphasized in the past century, as the popularity of German culture has grown across the globe.
Outside of Germany, the Landgrave surname can also be found across Europe, including in Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It has also spread to other areas of the world, notably the United States, where a significant population of German immigrants settled in the 18th and 19th centuries. The presence of the Landgrave surname in these regions has waned over time, however, and today can be found among isolated pockets of German and European descendants.
Finally, Landgrave has also spread to many other countries around the world - including Canada, Mexico, Australia, and South Africa - where descendants of German immigrants are the most likely to carry the surname.
Variations of the surname Landgrave
The surname Landgrave is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘landgrav’. It is commonly spelled as Landgrave, Landgraeff, Landgraf, and Landgraaf. Variants of the same origin include Langraff, Landgrebe, Landgrobe, Landergriff, Landergraff, Landgerber, Landgraf, Langgerber, Landgraviat, and Landgravier.
The surname is traditionally associated with the medieval German nobility, or in certain countries, the aristocracy. The title ‘landgrave’ was used to describe powerful leaders with both political and military authority over a region of land. As such, many members of the Landgrave family may have achieved a certain level of prominence and power throughout the years.
The surname Landgrave is still found in some German regions today and can also be found in countries such as the United States and Canada. Despite its popularity and association with high social status, the name is still relatively uncommon.
The surname Landgrave has many spelling and variations, and it is believed to have origins in old German culture. The title is associated with nobility and power, although it is not always associated with wealth or aristocracy. Today, however, the surname can be found in several countries.
Famous people with the name Landgrave
- Henry Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (also known as Elector of Hesse) (1567: 1637)
- Maurice Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1771: 1847)
- Philipp Landgrave of Hesse (1518–1567)
- William Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1787: 1867)
- Ernest Frederick Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1745–1837)
- Lothar Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1822–1902)
- Margaret Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel (1567: 1633)
- Louise Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel (1666: 1726)
- Philipp Erwein Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1770–1853)
- Ida Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel (1817–1908)
- William Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1747–1837)
- Christine Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel (1586–1618)
- Alexander Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1794: 1865)
- Amalie Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel (1740–1806)
- William Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Oberhessen (1775–1849)
- John Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1772–1841)
- Adolf Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1768–1877)
- Charles Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1543–1592)
- Ernest Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels (1583–1648)
- George Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1750–1820)