Grafstein is a family name of German origin. The surname is a compound of the German words Graf (“count” or “earl”) and Stein (“stone”), and is interpreted to mean “count’s stone” or “earl’s stone” 【4†L1-L5】.
The name is relatively rare; census data in the United States records fewer than 0.01 % of the population bearing the surname 【4†L7-L10】.
Notable individuals with the surname include:
- Jerry Grafstein (born 1935), a Canadian lawyer, businessman, and former politician who served as a senator in the Parliament of Canada.
- Lisa Grafstein (born 1966), an American lawyer and Democratic politician who has served as a member of the North Carolina Senate from the 13th district since 2023. She is a civil‑rights attorney specializing in employment law and is the only openly LGBTQ state senator in North Carolina 【2†L1-L9】【2†L11-L17】.
The surname appears in genealogical and onomastic references that discuss its etymology and distribution 【4†L1-L5】【5†L1-L4】.
Accurate information is not confirmed for any additional historical or cultural significance of the name beyond its linguistic origin and the noted bearers.