Surname Rölfer - Meaning and Origin
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Rölfer: What does the surname Rölfer mean?
The last name Rölfer is an occupational name derived from the Old Germanic “hrod” meaning to “glory” and “wralf” meaning to “rule”, making it a name of nobility or high rank. The name likely originated with a nobleman in the region of what is now Germany during Medieval times. This name could be found all over Europe from as early as the 10th century, with variations including Rolfs, Rolphs, Roloff, Rolfe, and Rolfen.
Rölfer is still found in Germany, with many bearing this name living in Bavaria and Saxony. The name has since spread to much of Europe and even parts of North America, particularly in countries historically populated by German immigrants such as the USA, Canada, and Argentina. Furthermore, variants of the name are common in Northeastern Europe, particularly in Poland where it is spelled Rolf.
Today, the name holds strong traditional associations as it was often seen as a mark of prestige and a reminder of one’s heritage. Therefore, the name Rölfer brings to mind a proud and distinguished family with a long legacy of power and influence.
Order DNA origin analysisRölfer: Where does the name Rölfer come from?
The surname Rölfer is most commonly found in Germany, with the majority of people bearing the name hailing from the country. It is relatively uncommon outside of Germany; however, there are a few isolated occurrences elsewhere. The name is most commonly seen in the state of Bavaria, as well as the central-western part of the country. It has also been seen across Europe, including in Switzerland, Austria, and France. In the United States, it is also rare, but there have been some occurrences in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
The earliest known reference to the surname appears around 1370, when it was documented in Germany. It is thought to have originated as an occupational name for someone who worked with or bred wolves. Over time, the spelling of the surname changed slightly, from "Rölfer" to "Rölfers" or "Rölfe".
The name Rölfer is still prevalent today in Germany. It is one of the most popular surnames in the country, with over 11,000 people bearing it. With such a high concentration, chances are high that you may find someone with the surname Rölfer in your travels. It's a unique name that is sure to turn some heads.
Variations of the surname Rölfer
The surname Rölfer has various spellings, variants, and possible surnames of the same origin.
Rölfer is a German patronymic surname deriving from the given name Rölf, which is an old Germanic form of Rudolph. This name is still used in modern times in its Germanic form, Rolf.
The spelling of Rölfer can also be found in many other forms including: Rolffer, Rölffer, Rollfer, Rollffer, Roolfer, and Roolffer. These forms are also found in some other countries, such as Austria and the United States.
In addition, the surname Rölfer may also be found in the variants: Rolfes, Rolfs, and Rolphs. These variants are typically found in England and the United States.
There are also various surnames related to Rölfer, which are derived from the same root sources. These include: Rolfmann, Rolfe, Rolfsen, Rolfson, Rolfstorf, and Rolfsek.
The variants of Rölfer can be traced to the German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, both of which are located in the north of Germany. From there, many people with this name emigrated to other countries, with many people bearing the Rölfer surname now found in Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Rölfer
- Tim Rölfer, German TV presenter
- Henning Rölfer, German Paralympic athlete
- Georg Rölfer, German politician
- Oskar Rölfer, German actor
- Skye Rölfer, American singer
- Gianna Rölfer, Italian artist
- Wilfried Rölfer, Austrian actor
- Michael Rölfer, German web designer
- Bernd Rölfer, German journalist
- Wolfgang Rölfer, German pianist