Surname Rolefes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rolefes: What does the surname Rolefes mean?
The last name Rolefes is believed to be of German origin. It is believed to be derived from the words rolf which means 'renowned wolf' and es which translates to 'son of' in German. Thus, the name Rolefes essentially translates to 'son of the renowned wolf'. The name likely originates from a family legend about a brave ancestor, often a wolf, that was seen as a symbol of courage and strength.
Interestingly, the name Rolefes is especially common in a region of Germany called Hesse. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 1600s, indicating the name has been around for centuries. Over the years, Rolefes families have traveled to other countries, including America and Australia.
The Rolefes family values are, perhaps, the most important aspect of the name. The Rolefes family is typically seen as being brave, loyal, and courageous. They work hard to provide for their families and prioritize education as well as faith. Moreover, they place emphasis on standing up for what one believes in and being honest in all aspects of life. These qualities have helped the Rolefes maintain their family name in countries far and wide.
Order DNA origin analysisRolefes: Where does the name Rolefes come from?
Rolefes is a surname commonly found in Germany, especially in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. It is a relatively uncommon name, but still shows up in online genealogical databases.
The name is believed to originate from a place name, most likely around the villages of Lübbecke or Rahden in East Westphalia. It could also have arisen from a local occupational name based on roles such as a carpenter or miller.
It's not a hugely common name, but it does show up in current records. For example, a search on the German telephone directory suggests that 1,477 people have the Rolefes surname residing in the country. The most common first names associated with Rolefes surname are Rolf, Fritz, Herbert, Udo, Barbara, and Linda.
In the United States, records show that the surname Rolefes is most commonly found in the states of Wisconsin and New Jersey. Some Americans with this last name likely have German ancestry since it’s also prevalent in the areas where German immigrants first settled in the U.S., such as Pennsylvania and Texas.
In terms of frequency, Rolefes is considered a rare surname around the world and is most likely to show up in Germany. However, it can also be found in areas of the United States where German immigrants first settled.
Variations of the surname Rolefes
The surname Rolefes is a variant of the German surname Rolfes, which is also sometimes spelled as Rolfs, Rolffs, and Rolf. It originates from the Germanyic personal name "Hrodwulf," which is derived from the Old High German words "hrod," meaning "renown or glory," and "wulf," meaning "wolf."
In Germany, the surname is most common in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Variants of the name Rolefes can also be found in other countries. In the Netherlands, the spelling is usually Roolfsen, while in Belgium it is Rolfe or Rolff. In Switzerland, the spelling is often Raélff, whilst in Denmark, it is sometimes spelled as Rollf.
Other surnames of the same origin include Roloff, Rulofs, Roolf, and Rolfesen. The surnames Rauwolf, Raubach, Rolofson, Rolfson, and Rudolph are variants of the same name, too.
In the United States, some people have changed the spelling of Rolfes to Rophs, Roph, Ropfs, Roffes, Raub, Rohe, Roes, Roff, Rouf, or Ruff. In the UK, the spelling might be Rolf or Rol, while in Ireland it can be Roul/Roule.
In short, the surname Rolefes is derived from the Germanic personal name Hrodwulf, and it is found in many different countries or regions across Europe and the US. There are a number of variants and spellings of the same origin which can be used interchangeably.
Famous people with the name Rolefes
- Tim Rolefes: American greyhound trainer and owner
- Andreas Rolefes: German sculptor
- Ulrike Rolefes: German abstraction painter and sculptor
- Maurice Rolefes: French photographer
- Jan Rolefes: Dutch cyclist
- Leo Rolefes: Dutch entrepreneur
- Carl Rolefes: German zoologist and historian
- Winand Rolefes: German carpenter
- Robert Rolefes: Dutch writer
- Jan Willem Rolefes: Dutch composer and organist