Surname Roolf - Meaning and Origin
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Roolf: What does the surname Roolf mean?
The last name Roolf is a patronymic name, derived from the given name of the father of the bearer of the name. This surname is found in various forms in many different countries. Roolf is a German surname, derived from the given name Rudolph, which is composed of two old German elements, "Hrod" meaning "fame" and "wolf" meaning "wolf". It was common practice for a son to be given a surname derived from the given name of his father, and this is why there are so many variations of the surname Roolf.
In the United States, the surname Roolf is most commonly found in the German American communities, typically in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Variations of the surname, which include Rolf, Roloff, Rolfe, Rolff, and Rolph, are also found in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
The meaning of the surname Roolf is to be from renown, or "famous wolf". The idea behind this is that the bearer of the name is someone who has a strength and influence similar to that of a wolf. It was also used as a nickname, likely for someone who resembled a wolf, such as having a fierce expression or a powerful voice.
Overall, the name Roolf conveys a sense of strength, power, and influence. This makes it a perfect name for anyone looking to honor their Germanic heritage or wishing to honor a beloved family member who shared that name.
Order DNA origin analysisRoolf: Where does the name Roolf come from?
The last name Roolf is not particularly common today, but is most prevalent in the United States. In the United States, the Roolf name appears to have originated in the Midwest and has spread to various parts of the country. Many with the surname Roolf live in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. However, there is also a small presence of the surname in other states including Pennsylvania, New York, and California. According to digitized records, the earliest known Roolf in the United States was listed in the 1850 census in Pennsylvania.
The last name is also found in some European countries, primarily in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg. In Europe, the name was mostly common in the 19th century; it is unclear how long the surname has been present in the region as records of this nature are limited.
In addition to the United States and Europe, the name can also be found in Australia and South Africa. It is not clear exactly when the surname first appeared in either region, though records indicate that Australian by the name of Roolf did exist in the early 20th century. Likewise, there are records of South Africans with the surname prior to the mid-20th century.
The name Roolf is uncommon today in comparison to other surnames, but you may still encounter it in some areas of the United States, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Roolf
The surname Roolf has a variety of different spellings and variants of the same origin. This is because surnames developed before widespread literacy and recordkeeping. Those names were often spelled differently depending on the author's nationality, understanding of the language, or level of education. Here are some of the spelling variations of the surname Roolf:
Rolf, Raoul, Rafe, Raulf, Rauf, Ralf, Rolph, Raul, Raulff, Ralff, Rolfe, Roolfe, Rolle, Roule, Roulf, Roulfe, Roullf, Rouwel, Rouwes, Rouluphus.
Surnames of the same origin are often confused with one another due to their similar spellings. The variations listed above are only some that be associated with the surname Roolf. Other surnames with similar origins include Rolfsen, Rolfson, Rolfuss,Rolfeck, Rolfing, Rawl, Rollf, Rauth, Roole, Rouw, Roell, Rolof, Reolf, Rollef.
While researching the surname Roolf, it can be useful to cross-reference with these variations of similar origin. In addition to coming up with different spelling variations, researching for information on a specific relative or family with the same surname will often produce results. This is because the ancestors of people with the same surname often had a shared history and can provide valuable insight into the origins of the family name.
Famous people with the name Roolf
- Albert Roolf (born 1941), German actor
- Clay Roolf (born 1986), Canadian football linebacker
- Don Roolf (born 1948), American stock car racing driver
- Elizabet Roolf (born 1955), Croatian actress
- John Roolf (born 1981), Dutch speed skater
- Justus Roolf (born 1935), German basketball player
- Johannes Roolf (born 1956), West German pentathlete
- Michelle Roolf (born 1985), Swiss TV presenter
- Rainer Roolf (born 1940), German racecar driver
- Reiner Roolf (1936–2017), German politician