Greve (surname)

Greve is a surname with origins primarily in Germany and Scandinavia. It derives from the German word "Graf" or the Scandinavian "Greve," both meaning "count." The surname was typically bestowed upon families associated with a count, either as descendants, employees, or tenants of the count's land.

The surname can also originate as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a pit or excavation, derived from a regional dialect term.

Variations of the surname exist across different regions, including Graef, Grave, and Greaves.

The distribution of the surname is concentrated in Germany, Denmark, and Norway, but can also be found in other parts of Europe and in countries with significant German and Scandinavian diaspora populations.