Surname Rolffs - Meaning and Origin

Rolffs: What does the surname Rolffs mean?

The last name Rolffs is of German origin and is thought to mean either “wolf” or “renowned wolf”. It is believed that this name originated when a family moved from the Middle Ages Germany. During this time, families often gave members of their family a surname based on an animal or physical characteristic -- wolves were extremely rare and highly respected. This custom explains why a family would give their surname the name of an animal as illustrious as a wolf.

Other sources suggest that the name Rolffs is an alternate spelling of the name Rolph, a diminutive of the English personal name Ralph, which is derived from the Old Norse given name Radulfr. Radulfr is a composed of the elements rad, meaning counsel, and wolf. Thus, the name Rolffs is derived from an Old Norse personal name meaning “counselor of the wolves”.

The last name Rolffs is most commonly associated with Germany, though can also be found in the United States, as many immigrants left Germany in the mid to late 1800s for a better life in America. Today, the last name Rolffs is found around the world, as it has been adopted by many families.

Rolffs: Where does the name Rolffs come from?

The last name Rolffs is most commonly found in the northern parts of Germany today. It is believed to have originated from the Old German word “roulf,” which means “rough.” Although commonly found in Northern Germany, it is not limited to just this area. Rolffs can be found scattered throughout the German states, and even in other parts of Europe such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The name Rolffs appears frequently in records of medieval Germany. It is thought to have been used to refer to a father in the distant past. Of course, many things have changed since the Middle Ages, and today the name Rolffs is more commonly found as a surname rather than a title for a father.

In modern-day Germany, the surname Rolffs is especially popular in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein. In 2017, a book was published by Sylke Rolffs and Johannes Rolffs, which documented the history of the Rolffs family including how it came into existence and spread across Europe.

The name Rolffs is also quite common in other countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where it has been brought over by German immigrants. According to reports, there are currently around 13,000 individuals living in the United States alone who share this surname.

In conclusion, the last name Rolffs is particularly common in the northern parts of Germany, but it can be found in many other countries as well. It is a popular surname with a rich history dating back to medieval Germany, and today it is shared by many individuals around the world.

Variations of the surname Rolffs

The surname Rolffs is a patronymic name derived from the Germanic personal name Rudolph. This name is derived from the Old High German personal name Hrodulf, composed of the elements hrod, which means fame, and wulf, which means wolf. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rolffs include Rolfe, Rolf, Rolph, Rolfs, Rollf, Rolle, Rol, Rolles, Roelfs, Rulff, Ruloff and Raulfs, among others.

Rolfe is an Anglo-Norman occupational name derived from the Old French term "roudolf," which means "famous wolf." This surname originated in northern France, before becoming especially common in Germany. It eventually made its way to England during the Norman Conquest, and as such is found in abundance in the British Isles today.

Rolf is a popular German variation of the surname. It originated as a short form of the name Rudolph, and is a combination of the words rod, which means glory, and wulf, which means wolf. It was popularized in Germanic-speaking countries from the 13th century, and has since spread across the world as a result of German emigration. Outside of Germany, it is most common in the United States, with some bearers also found in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands.

Rolph is a variant of the surname found mainly in parts of England. It has also been found to have taken roots in countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. Variations of this surname can also be found in other countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, and France.

Rolffs is also one variant of the name that can be found in Germany, as well as other countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Denmark. There are also a few bearers of this particular surname in the United States.

In conclusion, the surname Rolffs and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin have existed across the world for many centuries, and can still be found in many countries today.

Famous people with the name Rolffs

• Jason Rolffs: German footballer who plays as a striker for Heidenheim
• Rhoda Rolffs: German actor, best known for her recurring role in the soap opera Unter uns
• Paul Rolffs: German physicist who developed the energy-momentum method for the study of deformation wave propagation
• Carl Rolffs: German engineer and entrepreneur who invented the Rolffs-wagen, a light, low-cost German automobile
• Bernd Rolffs: German photographer, specializing in traditional black-and-white portraiture
• Britta Rolffs: German fashion designer, known for her eccentric, colorful garments
• Günter Rolffs: German Rembrandt scholar, specializing in Dutch Golden Age painting of the 17th century
• Florentius Rolffs: German theologian and author of the influential book The Life of Jesus
• Odile Rolffs: French botanist and conservationist, noted for her work in establishing national parks in France
• Jan Rolffs: Dutch jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, best known for his work with the Dutch Jazz Orchestra

Other surnames

RolffRolffsen