Surname Rolff - Meaning and Origin
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Rolff: What does the surname Rolff mean?
The surname Rolff originates from pre-medieval Germany, where it was used as a patronymic surname. It is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements “hrod”, meaning fame, and “wulf”, meaning wolf. This name literally translates to “fame-wolf”, and some scholars believe this was a byname given to a gifted individual, one who was known for having exceptional qualities or prowess.
In terms of the etymology of the surname, Rolff has mainly been used in northern Germany, particularly around Bremen, and is primarily concentrated around Odenwald in the south. There is also a regional variant, Rolf, in the northern part of Germany.
The surname Rolff can be classified into three branches – white, gray and brown. White Rolff families were typically found in Low German areas such as Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Guelders. These families originated from farmsteads in the Eastern Low German areas. Gray Rolffs were mainly found in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, Pomerania, Prussia, and Silesia. Brown Rolffs were found throughout Germany, in the more rural areas of the south, including the Black Forest, Bad Durkheim, and Bavaria. The family has spread throughout Europe, with families found in the United States and parts of Central and South America.
Overall, the name Rolff symbolizes strength, courage, and power, as can be seen in its translation to ‘fame-wolf’. It is likely these traits were seen in the founders of the family name, and they have been passed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisRolff: Where does the name Rolff come from?
The last name Rolff is most commonly associated with Germany where it first evolved in the Middle Ages. The name has since spread into other European countries such as the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. It is also found in scattered locations in Central and Eastern Europe.
Today, people bearing the Rolff surname can be found in various places around the world, including the United States, Canada, France, England, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, South Africa and Australia. There are also some bearers of the name who reside in the Middle East, including Jordan and Kuwait. Beyond Europe, North American, Oceania, and Latin America have become the primary destination of many immigrants with the family name.
The name is derived from a Germanic personal name that was introduced into the region by the Franks. The meaning of the personal name was likely something related to power or fame. The Rolff surname came to prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries, when more of the family began to appear across Europe. As name surnames spread to the New World, the number of bearers of the Rolff family name increased.
Variations of the surname Rolff
Rolff is a surname of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Rodulph or Rudolf, which is derived from the Old High German name Rudulphus, composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "wulf" meaning "wolf. Variants of this surname include Rolfe, Rolle, Rolfs, Rolph, Rollf, Rolf, and Rolph.
In Germany, the name is mainly found in the northern states, especially in Schleswig-Holstein, and the older spelling of “Rolf” used most of the time. In the United States, however, the spelling is most commonly “Rolff”.
The Dutch version of the name, "Rolph", is mainly found in the province of Zeeland. The Dutch spelling often combines elements of the English and German variants of the name. Other Dutch keyboards that may be seen are "Roelf", "Roelfsema" and "Rolf".
Surnames that are similar in origin to Rolff include Rolfson, Roelands, Roovers, Rolsten, Rolstons, and Roelefs. Certain variants of this surname are also found in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark.
Overall, Rolff is a varied and widespread surname that is mainly associated with Germany and the Netherlands. While the exact spelling varies, the variations in spelling are often subtle.
Famous people with the name Rolff
- Sebastian Rolff, German footballer
- Tom Rolff, former Major League Baseball player
- Charles D. Rolff, industrialist in Victorian Britain
- Christian Rolff, Danish field hockey player
- Peter Rolff, Danish fashion photographer
- Jeff Rolff, American television and radio producer
- Michael Rolff, Swiss ice hockey coach
- Anton Rolff, German educator and philosopher
- Edward Rolff, 19th-century printer and lithographer
- Yury Rolff, Russian artist and children's book author