An Irish surname, McGraw is from the Gaelic term ‘craith’ which refers to having grace. Variations in spelling McGraw include MacGrauth, Magraw, McGrath, Magrath and MacGraw. In County Clare, Ireland is where most with the McGraw families first lived. Mostly in the northern region of England is where McGraw families have settled, centered in Lancashire county. The Scottish county of Lanarkshire has the greater McGraw population. In the United States the McGraw families primarily live in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Illinois. Famous: James H. McGraw (co-founder of McGraw-Hill Company), Phil C. McGraw (television psychologist - Dr. Phil), John Joseph McGraw (professional baseball player and manager), Eloise Jarvis McGraw (children’s books author) and Francis X. McGraw (awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II).