Surname Rorrer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rorrer: What does the surname Rorrer mean?
The surname Rorrer is believed to be of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "roeren" or the Old German word "ruor", both of which mean "to stir" or "to shake". It is likely that Rorrer was an occupational surname, originally given to someone who had a job that involved stirring or shaking something, perhaps in relation to cooking or brewing. It's also possible that it may have been a descriptive nickname given to someone who was particularly restless or active. Additionally, German surnames were often derived from places, so it could potentially refer to someone from a specific geographic region. It's important to note that the exact origin and meaning of surnames often change over time and can be influenced by many factors, including migration and cultural blending, so definitive interpretations can be challenging.
Order DNA origin analysisRorrer: Where does the name Rorrer come from?
The last name Rorrer is most commonly found in the United States today. The name is derived from the German word "Rorer," meaning one who lives close to the edge of a forest. Records of its use in Germany date back to at least the 14th century.
Rorrers began migrating to America around the 1750s, mostly settling in the Mid-Atlantic states, particularly Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The name is prevalent in Southern and Central Appalachia, which includes parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.
The 1910 U.S. Census showed the highest concentration of Rorrers in Pennsylvania, followed by Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. Over the last century, their population has slightly decreased in the Mid-Atlantic states, while increasing elsewhere—particularly in the outer states of the Midwest, such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Ohio.
Some descendant families of the original Rorrer immigrants have also spread out into other areas of the country, including the Far West (California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington) and the Southwest (Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico).
At present, Rorrers remain a large and prominent presence in the Mid-Atlantic and the Southern Appalachians. The most common spelling of the name continues to be Rorrer, although variants like Rorer, Rorar and Rorrey are occasionally found.
Variations of the surname Rorrer
The surname Rorrer has several variants, spellings, and associated surnames that all have the same origin. Variants of the surname include Rorer, Rohrer, Rour, and Rouer. Rorrer is most likely derived from an old Germanic personal name made up of the elements "hrod" meaning 'fame' and "heri" meaning 'army'.
Rorer is the most common variant of the surname. This variant is most commonly found in the United States, Germany, and France, while Rohrer is associated with the Netherlands and Austria. The spelling Rour is a lesser-used but still valid variant of the name, generally found in France. Additionally, Rouer is another variant found primarily in France, along with related names such as Rower, Roer, Röhr, and Roehr.
Surnames related to Rorrer include Reher, Rorrer-Röhr, and Roer. Reher is thought to be derived from the original surname, while Rorrer-Röhr and Roer are thought to have originated from the variants Rorrer and Roer, respectively.
Alternative spellings and derivatives of the surname Rorrer may have arisen due to various historical and geographic factors. Spelling variants developed due to the lack of standard spelling conventions, dialectal preference, and migration patterns. As such, it is important to consider all related spellings and surnames when conducting genealogical research on the surname Rorrer.
Famous people with the name Rorrer
- Trina Rorrer: reality TV star, one of the first contestants on the hit TV Show, The Bachelor
- Sean Rorrer: retired professional football player who played for both the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys
- Gil Rorrer: Author of the financial novel, A Million Here, A Million There
- Gwen Rorrer: Olympic diver who won four medals in the Summer Olympics between 1968 and 1972
- Jerry Rorrer: Actor, appeared on several television shows and movies such as the TV series Happy Days and the films Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Vacation
- Larry Rorrer: Professional golfer, won four PGA Tour events from 1965 to 1980
- Nile Rorrer: Singer and songwriter, most famous for performing theme songs for cartoons
- Pamela Rorrer: Emmy Award-winning casting director, worked on shows such as Weeds, Six Feet Under, and True Blood
- Scott Rorrer: Bass guitarist who has played with bands such as The Church and Nirvana
- Robert Rorrer: Film composer, composed music for the films Over the Edge and Pump Up the Volume.