Surname Rolfmeyer - Meaning and Origin
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Rolfmeyer: What does the surname Rolfmeyer mean?
The surname Rolfmeyer is of German origin and derived from the given name Rolf, which is a short form of a longer Germanic name like Rudolph or Rodolf. The name Rolf was borne by several medieval kings of Burgundy and Germany. The addition of the suffix “meyer” indicates a place of origin; thus, Rolfmeyer can be translated into English as “from the meadow of Rolf”. The name was likely bestowed upon a family who lived near to or owned a meadow that was associated with a person of the same first name.
It is believed that approximately 10,000 individuals in The Netherlands and 4,000 in Germany are currently bearing thelast name Rolfmeyer, whilst in the United States, the surname is rare. Although variant spellings do exist, such as Rolfmaier or Rolfmeier, its presence in records from the 17th and 18th centuries shows that the family settled in many parts of Germany and The Netherlands by that time.
Today, the Rolfmeyer surname can be found in anecdotal stories or family trees, or perhaps public records like voter registration lists, birth records, passports and more. As with many German surnames, the origin of the Rolfmeyer name provides special insight into its bearer's past, as well as a unique glimpse into the culture of their Germanic ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisRolfmeyer: Where does the name Rolfmeyer come from?
The last name Rolfmeyer appears to be most common in mainland Europe, mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In Germany, the Rolfmeyer surname is reported to be most prominent in the northern-central, particularly in Lower Saxony, the Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Regions of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. In Switzerland, the Rolfmeyer name is said to be most concentrated around places such as Zurich and Bern. In 2018, the Rolfmeyer surname was the 8,323rd most common name in the country. In Denmark, the surname is reported to be most common around the cities of Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg.
In the United States, the last name Rolfmeyer is reported to be somewhat uncommon, since the 2020 Census Bureau estimated only 2,384 Americans with this surname. However, there are still many Rolfmeyer families living in the country today. According to Surname distribution data, the state of Minnesota is among the top ten states in the US with the most persons with the Rolfmeyer surname. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Illinois also have significant numbers of those with the Rolfmeyer last name.
Overall, the Rolfmeyer surname is more common in mainland Europe than in the United States or other places. Specifically, in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark, the surname is most concentrated in certain cities and regions. Nevertheless, there are still a sizable number of individuals with the Rolfmeyer surname living in the US today.
Variations of the surname Rolfmeyer
Rolfmeyer is a German surname originally stemming from the words "Rolf" and "Meyer." The "Rolf" component of the name primarily refers to an old Germanic name meaning "famed wolf," while "Meyer" can be translated to mean simply "man of the house".
The variants of Rolfmeyer include Rolfmeijer, Rolfmayer, Rolfmejer, and Rolffmeyer. Spellings of Rolfmeyer can also vary, including “Rulfmeyer,” “Rolfmejer,” and “Rolfmayer.” These variations are a matter of cultural dialect and geographic location as well.
No matter the spelling or variation of the surname, Rolfmeyer is a patronymic name meaning that it was formed based on a male ancestor’s first name. Thus, it is often used as a given name as well. With regards to surnames of the same origin, similar surnames include "Rolfsen," which combines the "Rolf" form plus the German "sen" meaning "son of," and other German surnames ending in "-meyer," such as Mayern and Heyerman.
In North America, Rolfmeyer is a rarity as it largely stayed in mainland Europe, particularly in Germany where it still appears today.
Overall, Rolfmeyer is a unique surname stemming from the old Germanic language and it has been used as a given name as well. Variants of the surname have been used throughout Europe, and similar surnames such as Rolfsen and Mayern have been used in Germanic countries. However, today Rolfmeyer is a rarity, and it appears predominantly in Germany.
Famous people with the name Rolfmeyer
- Robert Rolfmeyer: Robert Rolfmeyer, also known as Bob, is a retired professional soccer player who was a member of the United States National Team in the 1990s. He was a reliable goalkeeper and well-respected leader who played in the Major League Soccer for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Chicago Fire.
- Al Rolfmeyer: Al Rolfmeyer was a professional golfer who built an impressive career from the late 1940s through the late 1980s. He was known as “The Dutchman” on the tournament circuit for his thick Dutch accent and amiable nature.
- Chris Rolfmeyer: Chris Rolfmeyer was a professional baseball player who had a long career with the Minnesota Twins, the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves. He was a starting pitcher with a strong fastball and a devastating slider.
- Cindy Rolfmeyer: Cindy Rolfmeyer is a retired figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist who remains an active supporter of figure skating and charity work. She’s also an avid philanthropist who’s been involved with a number of charitable organizations throughout the years.
- Steve Rolfmeyer: Steve Rolfmeyer is a retired NFL player and Super Bowl champion who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He was an integral part of the 49ers’ success in the late 80s and early 90s with his hard hitting and aggressive play.