The oldest style of graphical lettering, which is still in existence today, is calligraphy. Merriam-Webster defines this lettering style as "artistic, stylized, or elegant handwriting" and one that draws equal if not more attention than the meaning behind it. Examples of calligraphy can be found all across Europe as far back as the first millennium, when it was especially popular for religious use. Just as churches were designed in the most ornate fashion, so was the text of many of the Bibles of the time.
The words graphical and graffiti both have their origins from the same Greek word, "graphein," which means "to write." Graffiti is a lettering style based mostly around its appearance, and although it only really became part of popular culture in the late 20th century, it can now be considered one of the quintessential graphical lettering styles. Graffiti is usually written with spray paint or large markers of a variety of colors, and the words are often purposely distorted, almost like a puzzle that the reader must decode. This type of lettering style is associated with urban art and design.
The original graphical purpose of sans serif lettering styles was nearly the opposite to that of graffiti and calligraphy. Originally, this sort of typography, which is defined by its lack of detail and includes the ubiquitous Helvetica and Futura type styles, was meant to shift attention away from the letters themselves to the meaning of the words. Now, however, these sans serif fonts have become a favorite of graphic designers because of their smoothness and subtlety and because, unlike more lavish fonts, they are able to complement a wide variety of artistic backgrounds.
Tattoo style writing is inherently different from any other graphical type, simply because of the "canvas" on which the lettering is created. Since tattoos on the skin are technically permanent, each is meant to convey as much meaning as possible, which, of course, includes the style of the type. While there is no definitive tattoo letting, several are commonly used, such as flowing script, Olde English and especially ambigrams -- type that can be read as one word right-side-up and as another upside-down. While tattoos were once reserved for sailors and misfits, they are now a common form of expression in popular culture.