Surname Rolef - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rolef: What does the surname Rolef mean?
The last name Rolef is an old German given name that first appeared in the records during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic name Rolf, meaning “noble wolf”. It is likely to have been adopted by a noble family in the area, as wolves were symbols of courage, bravery and strength.
The surname has its roots in various parts of Germany, most prominently Saxony and Bavaria, as well as Austria and Switzerland. The name can be found in many publications from the 15th and 16th centuries, in which it is found alongside the names of other nobles from the same region.
In modern times, the surname remains widely popular in Europe, particularly amongst those of French, German, and Austrian descent. It is particularly popular amongst families in Bavaria and the surrounding area. It has also spread to American and Canada and can be found amongst families of European descent in the US and Canada.
The Rolef surname has come to be an important symbol of the legacy of the noble families of Germany, Austria and the surrounding countries. It is a reminder of the pride they held for their heritage, their courage and their bravery in defending their people during the tumultuous years of Europe’s history.
Order DNA origin analysisRolef: Where does the name Rolef come from?
The last name Rolef is a name of German origin and is most commonly seen today across Germany and many other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. It can also be seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.
The most common variant of Rolef is Rolf, with the main spelling of the name in German being Rölf or Roelf. It is derived from the Old German name Hrodwulf, with the Hrod- portion meaning “fame” and the -wulf part meaning “wolf”. In some cases, the name can also mean “renowned wolf”.
The surname Rolef is made up of two elements: ro and laf. ‘Ro’ means “round”, “rim”, or “rim of a shield”, while ‘laf’ translates to “heir” or “descendant”. The Rolef name also it is related to words for other professions in the Middle Ages such as “bailiff”, “messenger”, and “runner”.
The name Rolef has also been found to be related to religious surnames such as Rolofsen and Rolfson, suggesting it may have been adopted by many people who had religious affiliations.
Today, the Rolef last name is spread out across the world, owing to larger levels of global migration. It is estimated that there are around 50,000 people in the world with this surname.
Variations of the surname Rolef
Rolef is a surname of German and possibly most likely of French origin. It is also found in France, though the given name is spelled differently there as Rollet. The German and French variants of this surname both mean “wolf ruler”.
The spelling of the Rolef surname varies across countries and cultures, including Roelf, Rolfe, Raulef, Rauelf, Rolve, Rolf, Roelfs, Rolff, Raulff, Roolf, Rauleff, Raulffs and Raolffs.
In the United States, the surname is most common in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. With the variation of the surnames, some people with this same origin surname spell it differently and use different surnames due to immigration, such as Rolfson, Rolfsen, Roulfson, Roulsen, Roulfsen, Rouls, Roulss, and Roullf.
In addition, some of the surname’s variants are also found in Scandinavia such as the Rölf enn Rölff. In the Netherlands, the most common spellings are Roelofs and Roelfs.
Thus, the various spellings and surnames of the same origin for Rolef are Roelf, Rolfe, Raulef, Rauelf, Rolve, Rolf, Roelfs, Rolff, Raulff, Roolf, Rauleff, Raulffs, Raolffs, Rolfson, Rolfsen, Roulfson, Roulsen, Roulfsen, Rouls, Roulss, Roullf, Rölf, Rölff, Roelofs and Roelfs.
Famous people with the name Rolef
- Martin Rolef: Martin Rolef is an Austrian businessman and politician who has served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, and Water Management.
- noam rolf: Noam Rolef is a Jewish Israeli actress and 1980s celebrity. She is most known for her roles in Shemesh and TV miniseries Sinai Tots.
- Judith Rolef: Judith Rolef is a Filipino-Israeli singer-songwriter and actress. She is best known for her hit single “A Smile Is All It Takes”.
- Sir Theodore Rolef: Sir Theodore Rolef is a German-born British publisher and newspaper magnate. He is the founder of the Guardian newspaper and the Observer magazine.
- Emilia Rolef: Emilia Rolef is a Swedish contemporary artist and curator who works primarily in painting, installation, and film.
- Shaun Rolef: Shaun Rolef is a Canadian musician and record producer. He is best known for producing albums for artists such as Disclosure, Flume, and Diplo.
- Miles Rolef: Miles Rolef is an American pre-med student and college basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats.
- Tricia Rolef: Tricia Rolef is a Danish fashion designer and creative director. Her fashion line is known for its unique combinations of color, texture, and pattern.