Graham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Graham

What does the name Graham mean?

The distinguished Graham 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 Graham family

The surname Graham 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

Graham Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Graham 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
• John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee (c.1648-1689), known as the 7th Laird of Claverhouse
• Richard Graham, 1st Viscount Preston PC (1648-1695), an English diplomat and politician
• William Graham, 8th Earl of Menteith, 2nd Earl of Airth (c. 1634-1694), a Scottish nobleman active in the suppression of the Covenanters

Graham World Ranking

In the United States, the name Graham is the 104^th most popular surname with an estimated 203,934 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Graham is ranked the 62^nd most popular surname with an estimated 34,951 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Graham is the 66^th popular surname with an estimated 34,809 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Graham as 79^th with 4,597 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Graham as 72^nd with 62,478 people. 6

 Migration of the Graham family to Ireland

Some of the Graham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Graham migration to the United States+

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Graham Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Ant Graham who settled in Virginia in 1651
• And Graham, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 7
• Donell Graham, who landed in Virginia in 1655 7
• Elizabeth Graham, who landed in Maryland in 1676 7
• Jane Graham, who landed in Maryland in 1677 7