Graham is a surname of Scottish and

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

origin. It is typically an

Anglo-French Anglo-French (or sometimes Franco-British) may refer to: *France–United Kingdom relations *Anglo-Norman language or its decendants, varieties of French used in medieval England *Anglo-Français and Français (hound), an ancient type of hunting d ...

form of the name of the town of

Grantham Grantham () is a market and industrial town in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England, situated on the banks of the River Witham and bounded to the west by the A1 road. It lies some 23 miles (37 km) south of the Lincoln and ...

, in

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs.) is a Counties of England, county in the East Midlands of England, with a long coastline on the North Sea to the east. It borders Norfolk to the south-east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south-we ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. The settlement is recorded in the 11th century ''

Domesday Book Domesday Book () – the Middle English spelling of "Doomsday Book" – is a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William I, known as William the Conqueror. The manus ...

'' variously as ''Grantham'', ''Grandham'', ''Granham'' and ''Graham''. This place name is thought to be derived from the

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the mid-5th c ...

elements ''grand'', possibly meaning " gravel", and ''ham'', meaning "hamlet" the English word given to small settlements of smaller size than villages.

Variants and use

In the 12th century the surname was taken from

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

by Sir William de Graham, who founded

Clan Graham Clan Graham (''Greumaich nan Cearc'' ) is a Scottish clan who had territories in both the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, with one main branch Montrose, and various cadet branches. The chief of the clan rose to become the Marquess and later ...

. Variant spellings are ''Grahame'' and ''Graeme''. Its origin as a surname has led to its use as a given name, as for example in the case of Graham Cockburn, a daughter of

Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn Henry Thomas Cockburn of Bonaly, Lord Cockburn ( ; Cockpen, Midlothian, 26 October 1779 – Bonaly, Midlothian, 26 April/18 July 1854) was a Scottish lawyer, judge and literary figure. He served as Solicitor General for Scotland between 1830 a ...

. The surname is presently commonly used as a masculine given name (see Graham given name).

Notable people

Alasdair Graham Alasdair Bernard Graham (May 21, 1929 – April 22, 2015) was a Canadian politician, journalist and businessman. Political career Graham attempted to win a seat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1958 election from Nova Scotia, but was ...

(1929–2015), Canadian politician, journalist, and businessman * Alasdair Graham (pianist) (1934–2016), British concert pianist * Alexander Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Alexina Graham (born 1990), British fashion model * Sir Alistair Graham (born 1942), British politician * Andrew Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Angus Charles Graham Angus Charles Graham, FBA (8 July 1919 – 26 March 1991) was a Welsh scholar and sinologist who was professor of classical Chinese at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He was born in Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales ...

(1919–1991), British philosopher * Ann Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Aubrey Drake Graham (born 1986), Canadian actor and rapper better known as Drake * B. L. Graham (1914–2001), American college basketball player and coach *

Barbara Graham Barbara Elaine "Bonnie" Wood Graham (née Ford; June 26, 1923 – June 3, 1955) was an American criminal convicted of murder. She was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin Prison on the same day as two convicted accomplices, Jack Santo and E ...

(1923–1955), American murderer * Ben Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Bill Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Bob Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Brett Graham Brett Graham (born 1967) is a New Zealand sculptor who creates large scale artworks and installations that explore indigenous histories, politics and philosophies. ''Snitch'' from 2014, in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art, refer ...

(born 1967), New Zealand sculptor *

Bruce Graham Bruce John Graham (December 1, 1925 – March 6, 2010) was a Peruvian-American architect. Graham built buildings all over the world and was deeply involved with evolving the Burnham Plan of Chicago. Among his most notable buildings are the ...

(1925–2010), Colombian architect * Calvin Graham (1930–1992), American sailor * Charles Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Charlotte Graham (born 1972), New Zealand artist * Cork Graham (born 1964), American author *

Currie Graham Currie Graham (born February 26, 1967) is a Canadian stage, film and television actor. While primarily recognized as a TV actor, he has numerous film credits, including the action thrillers ''Rancid'' (2004) and ''Assault on Precinct 13'' (200 ...

(born 1967), Canadian actor *

Dale Graham Dale Allison Graham (born October 6, 1951''Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1997'', Kathryn O'Handley ) is a former politician in New Brunswick, Canada. He served as an Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, MLA from 1993 to 2014, as Speaker of t ...

(born 1951), Canadian politician * Daniel Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * David Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Derek Graham-Couch, Scottish professional wrestler *

Devin Graham Devin Graham (born July 29, 1983) is an American videographer who produces adventure and extreme sport videos on YouTube under the name devinsupertramp.Tim Nudd"Meet Devin Graham, Advertising's Daredevil".''AdWeek'', February 11, 2014. His chan ...

, American cinematographer, YouTuber *

Dick Graham Richard D. Graham (6 May 1922 – 7 March 2013) was an English footballer and football manager who played and coached in the Football League. He played as a goalkeeper for Crystal Palace, making over 150 league appearances. He went on to manage ...

(1922–2013), English footballer and manager *

Dirk Graham Dirk Milton Graham (born July 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League. He was honored in 1991 as the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner ...

(born 1959), Canadian ice hockey player * Donald Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose Douglas Beresford Malise Ronald Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose KT (7 November 1852 – 10 December 1925), initially styled as the Marquess of Graham, was a Scottish nobleman, racehorse owner, soldier and the 5th Duke of Montrose. He was the son ...

(1852–1925), Scottish nobleman * Edward Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Enid Gordon Graham (1894–1974), Canadian physiotherapist * Eric Graham (1888–1964), Irish bishop *

Evarts Ambrose Graham Evarts Ambrose Graham (1883–1957) was an American academic, physician, and surgeon. Early years and military service Born in Chicago, Illinois to a surgeon, Dr. David Wilson Graham, and Ida Ansbach Barned Graham, Evarts attended college at Prin ...

(1883–1957), American surgeon and professor *

Eve Graham Eve Graham (born Evelyn May Beatson; 19 April 1943) is a Scottish singer who found fame in the early 1970s with the pop group, The New Seekers. Biography Graham began her career during the 1960s as a band singer with the Cyclones in Scotland a ...

(born 1943), Scottish singer * Frank Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Franklin Graham William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American evangelist and missionary. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and ...

(born 1952), American evangelist *

Gary Graham Gary Graham (born June 6, 1950) is an American actor, musician, and author. He may be best known for his starring role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the television series ''Alien Nation'' (1989–1990) and five subsequent ''Alien Nation'' televi ...

(born 1950), American actor * George Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Gerald Graham Lieutenant General Sir Gerald Graham, (27 June 1831 – 17 December 1899) was a senior British Army commander in the late 19th century and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that ...

(1831–1899), English soldier * Gerald S. Graham (1903–1988), Canadian-British imperial and naval historian *

Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham (born November 27, 1949) is an American stage, television, and film actor as well as a scriptwriter and songwriter. He is best known for his appearances in multiple films by Brian De Palma as well as appearances in two '' Star Trek' ...

(born 1949), American actor and writer * Gwen Graham (born 1963), American politician * Harry Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Heather Graham (actress) Heather Joan Graham (born January 29, 1970) is an American actress. After appearing in television commercials, her first starring role in a feature film came with the teen comedy '' License to Drive'' (1988), followed by the critically acclaime ...

(born 1970), American actress *

Helen Matthews Helen Matthews, real name probably Helen Matthew ( – ), also known by her pseudonym Mrs Graham, was a Scottish footballer, artist, and suffragette. Matthew (or Graham) is known as a leading player and team captain from the 1890s, and for rec ...

(1857/8-?), also known by her pseudonym Mrs Graham, Scottish suffragette and footballer *

Herol Graham Herol Graham (born 13 September 1959) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1998. A three-time world title challenger, he is generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers of the post-war era to have never w ...

(born 1958), British boxer * Hiram P. Graham (1820–1902), American politician * Ian Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Jack Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Jaeden Graham (born 1995), American football player * James Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Jamie Graham, Canadian police chief * Jaymie Graham, Australian rules footballer *

Jeff Graham Jeffery Todd Graham (born February 14, 1969) is a retired professional American football player who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 206-lb wide receiver from Kettering, Archbishop Alt ...

, American football player * Jeff Graham (quarterback), American football player * John Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Jorie Graham Jorie Graham (; born May 9, 1950) is an American poet. The Poetry Foundation called Graham "one of the most celebrated poets of the American post-war generation." She replaced poet Seamus Heaney as Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory at ...

(born 1950), Pulitzer Prize–winning American poet * Joseph Graham (footballer) (1889–1968), English footballer *

Julie Graham Julie Graham (born 24 July 1965) is a Scottish television and film actress. Career Graham has appeared in the Channel 4 ''Blood Red Roses'' (1986, filmed in East Kilbride). She also appeared in 1986 in an episode of ''Taggart'', “Death Call ...

(born 1965), Scottish actress *

Katharine Graham Katharine Meyer Graham (June 16, 1917 – July 17, 2001) was an American newspaper publisher. She led her family's newspaper, ''The Washington Post'', from 1963 to 1991. Graham presided over the paper as it reported on the Watergate scandal, whi ...

(1917–2001) (also known as Kay Graham), American publisher of ''The Washington Post'', successor to her husband, Philip * Kenny Graham (musician) (1924–1997), English jazz musician and composer * Kenny Graham (American football) (born 1941), Kenneth James "Kenny" Graham, American football safety * Ken Graham, American meteorologist *

Kenneth Grahame Kenneth Grahame ( ; 8 March 1859 – 6 July 1932) was a British writer born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is most famous for ''The Wind in the Willows'' (1908), a classic of children's literature, as well as '' The Reluctant Dragon''. Both books w ...

(1859–1932), British writer *

Kevin Graham Kevin Graham (born April 21, 1986 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian water polo player. He was a member of the Canada men's national water polo team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The team finished 11th out of the 12 teams in the tourna ...

, Canadian water polo player * Kyle "Skinny" Graham (1899–1973), Major League Baseball pitcher * K.M. Graham (1913–2008), Canadian artist * Larry Graham (born 1946), American bass guitar player, member of Sly and the Family Stone * Lauren Graham (born 1967), American actress * Leonard Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Leona Graham Leona Graham (born 18 January 1971) is a British radio broadcaster and voiceover artist. She is currently a presenter of Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin Radio), a position she has held since 2000. She can also be heard on the digital stations ...

(born 1971), British radio presenter *

Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin Graham (born July 9, 1955) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from South Carolina, a seat he has held since 2003. A member of the Republican Party, Graham chaired the Senate Committee on ...

(born 1955), American politician * Lollie Graham, Shetland writer *

Lou Graham Louis Krebs Graham (born January 7, 1938) is an American professional golfer who won six PGA Tour tournaments including the 1975 U.S. Open. Most of his wins were in the 1970s. Lou Graham was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He started playing g ...

(born 1938), American professional golfer *

Louis E. Graham Louis Edward Graham (August 4, 1880 – November 9, 1965) was an American politician who was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Biography Louis E. Graham was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and mov ...

(1880–1965), U.S. politician from Pennsylvania * Luke Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith (c. 1407–1490) was a 15th-century Scottish magnate, who was the heir to the Scottish throne between 1437 and 1451, if Elizabeth Mure's children were not counted as lawful heirs (a question that hadn't been ad ...

(1406–1490), Scottish magnate * Mark Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Martha Graham (1894–1991), American dancer and choreographer * Martin H. Graham (1926–2015), American professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences *

Mary Lou Graham Mary Lou Graham (later Hamilton; born August 15, 1936) is a former batgirl and relief pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at , 149 lb, she batted and threw right-handed.

(born 1936), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player *

Max Graham Max Graham (; born April 17, 1971) is a British-Canadian DJ, composer, and producer of dance music. Known for fusing progressive house, trance, and techno, he is most famous for his open-to-close DJ Sets (where he typically plays 6 to 8 hou ...

, Canadian DJ, composer and producer of dance music * Michael Graham (disambiguation) (also: Mike) *

Moonlight Graham Archibald Wright "Moonlight" Graham (November 12, 1876 – August 25, 1965) was an American professional baseball player and medical doctor who appeared as a right fielder in a single major league game for the New York Giants on June 29, 190 ...

(1876–1965), American baseball player * Ogilvie Graham (1891–1971), Irish cricketer and British Army officer *

Otto Graham Otto Everett Graham Jr. (December 6, 1921 – December 17, 2003) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL). Graha ...

(1921–2003), American football and basketball player * Patricia Graham (pilot), Australian aviator * Patrick Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Paul Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Peter Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Phil Graham Philip Leslie Graham (July 18, 1915 – August 3, 1963) was an American newspaperman. He served as publisher and later co-owner of ''The Washington Post'' and its parent company, The Washington Post Company. During his years with the Post Comp ...

(1915–1963), American publisher *

Ralph Graham (American football) Ralph Mevlin Graham (August 16, 1910 – October 14, 2005) was an American football, basketball, and tennis player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the Municipal University of Wichita—now Wichita State University—in 1942 and ...

(1910–2005), American football player and coach * Sir Reginald Graham, 3rd Baronet (1892–1980), Scottish soldier * Richard Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Richey V. Graham (1886–1972), American politician * Robert Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Ron Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Ruth Bell Graham Ruth McCue Bell Graham (June 10, 1920 – June 14, 2007) was an American Christian author, most well known as the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. She was born in Qingjiang, Jiangsu, Republic of China, the second of five children. Her parents, Vir ...

(1920–2007), American writer and philanthropist * Sam Graham, English footballer * Sam Graham (footballer, born 1874), Scottish footballer *

Shawn Graham Shawn Michael Graham (born February 22, 1968) is a Canadian politician, who served as the 31st premier of New Brunswick from 2006 to 2010. He was elected leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party in 2002 and became premier after his party captur ...

(born 1968), New Brunswick politician * Skinny Graham (outfielder) (1909–1967), American baseball player * Stan Graham (1926–2010), Canadian politician * Stanley Graham (1900–1941), New Zealand mass murderer * Stephen Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Steve Graham Steve Graham (born 23 January 1962) is a retired Australian Paralympic winter sport coach. He was head coach of Australia's Winter Paralympic team for the 1994 Winter Paralympics, 2006 Winter Paralympics, 2010 Winter Paralympics and 2014 Winte ...

, Australian Paralympic coach *

Susan Graham Susan Graham (born July 23, 1960) is an American mezzo-soprano. Life and career Susan Graham was born in Roswell, New Mexico on July 23, 1960. Raised in Midland, Texas, Graham is a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Manhattan School of ...

(born 1960), American mezzo-soprano singer * Susan L. Graham, American computer scientist * Sylvester Graham (1794–1851), American nutritionist * Ta'Quon Graham (born 1998), American football player *

Ted Graham, Baron Graham of Edmonton Thomas Edward Graham, Baron Graham of Edmonton, (26 March 1925 – 21 March 2020) was a British Labour and Co-operative politician. Career Born in Newcastle, Graham was educated at the Co-operative College and held several positions in the c ...

(1925–2020), British Labour Co-operative politician * Ted Graham (ice hockey) (1904–1979), Canadian hockey player * Thaddea Graham, Chinese-Northern Irish actress * Thomas Graham (disambiguation), multiple people * Tiny Graham (1892–1962), American baseball player * Toby Graham (1920–2013), British cross-country skier and historian *

Todd Graham Michael Todd Graham (born December 5, 1964) is an American football coach and former player. He was most recently the head football coach at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2020–2021). Graham has served as the head football coach at Rice ...

, American college football coach * Treveon Graham (born 1993), American basketball player * Wallace H. Graham (1910–1996), American physician *

Wallace Wilson Graham Wallace Wilson Graham (September 16, 1815 - October 13, 1898) was an American politician and lawyer. Born in Crageycroy, County Armagh, Ireland, Graham moved with family to Quebec and then to Ashtabula, Ohio. There, he grew up and was admitted t ...

, American lawyer and politician *

Wayne Graham Wayne may refer to: People with the given name and surname * Wayne (given name) * Wayne (surname) Geographical Places with name ''Wayne'' may take their name from a person with that surname; the most famous such person was Gen. "Mad" Antho ...

, American college baseball coach * W. S. Graham (1918–1986), Scottish poet * William Graham (disambiguation), multiple people *

Winston Graham Winston Mawdsley Graham OBE, born Winston Grime (30 June 1908 – 10 July 2003), was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote numerous other works, including contemporary ...

(1908–2003), English novelist *

Winthrop Graham Winthrop Graham (born 17 November 1965 in Westmoreland, Jamaica) is a retired athlete who mainly competed in the 400 metres hurdles. He won two Olympic medals and three World Championship medals. His personal best time was 47.60 seconds, achie ...

(born 1965), Jamaican athlete

References

{{surname, Graham English-language surnames English toponymic surnames

Variants and use

Notable people

See also

References