Surname Rotfus - Meaning and Origin
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Rotfus: What does the surname Rotfus mean?
The last name Rotfus is of Germanic origin and is thought to be derived from a personal name ‘Hrothfus’ which is believed to have been a popular name in the 9th and 10th centuries. It could also stem from two different words, ‘rot’, meaning ‘red’ and ‘fuss’, meaning ‘head’, suggesting the surname describes a person who has red hair.
Rotfus is a fairly uncommon name and historically was found in Germany and later migrated to other countries, the most common being the United States where it can mainly be associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch.
The geographic distribution of the surname today suggests that the majority of people who have this last name are located in the United States, with a few in Europe, mainly Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France.
Not much is known about the family origins of the Rotfuses, but what is known is that this is an old surname that has endured the test of time. From the ninth century to the present day, the Rotfus last name remains relatively unchanged. It is a testament to the family’s long history, as well as their strong sense of cultural identity.
Order DNA origin analysisRotfus: Where does the name Rotfus come from?
The last name Rotfus is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe. According to ancestry.com, there are over 80,000 people worldwide who share this last name. 54% of the population possessing this surname is located in Germany, with the majority in the east of the country, particularly in the state of Brandenberg. In addition, the surname is fairly common in Belarus, the Czech Republic and Poland.
The name originates from the German word 'rottfuss', which translates to 'red foot' or 'ruddy foot'. It is a derivative of a byname used in former times to indicate someone with a red or ruddy complexion. This byname would have been a descriptor of an individual's personality or physical appearance and is mostly found among peasant populations in the old German Empire.
The Rotfus surname can be found scattered around the world, although its usage is sparse in comparison to its German origins. It is widely dispersed in the United States, particularly in the East and Midwest regions. Interestingly, very few Europeans are recorded as having acquired the surname due to immigration.
In summary, the Rotfus surname is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe, particularly among peasant populations in the old German Empire. It is also widely dispersed in the United States, although there have been few immigrants with this surname.
Variations of the surname Rotfus
The surname Rotfus is of German origin and is derived from the Old German name Rothfuss, which means the “red foot”. This surname can be found in various forms and spellings throughout Europe, including Rotfuss, Rotfusser, Rotfuß, Redfus, Redfuss, Redfusser, Redfuss, Ratfuss, Ratefuss, Ratefusser, Ratfusser, and Rothfuss.
In America, the variants of the surname include Rotfuss, Redfuss, Redfusser, Rothfuss, Ratfuss, Ratfusser, Rotfusse, and Rothfusser. Some other spellings of the surname are Rotfuse, Rhotfuss, Rhotfusser, and Rotfusser. The variant spellings of the name are generally found mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as other parts of Europe, although they are found throughout the world.
The surname Rotfus is often found with the preposition ‘von’, such as von Rotfus. This indicates that the person is of noble birth or origin and could be referred to as a noble Rotfus. Less frequently, one may find variations on the surname such as v. Rotfus, von Rotfuss, von Rotfusser, and von Rotfusse.
The spelling of this surname can vary from region to region, so it is best to do some research into its origin in order to determine the correct spelling. As with many Germanic-based surnames, the ‘f’ sound is often represented with a ‘ph’ or a ‘v’, so it is also possible to find variations such as Rotphuss, Durfuss, Countfus, Countfuss, Kountfuss, etc.
Overall, the surname Rotfus has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, which can be found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, as well as the United States.
Famous people with the name Rotfus
- Adam Rotfus: a former professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL).
- Howard Rotfus: a renowned plastic surgeon, specialized in facial reconstruction and aesthetic surgery.
- Sigrid Rotfus: model and actress who appeared in many television commercials and films.
- Jack Rotfus: American actor and writer, best known for his starring role in the television series Wagon Train.
- Holly Rotfus: renowned American sports journalist and television anchor.
- Erik Rotfus: world-renowned musician and recording artist, whose collaboration with Coldplay won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 2018.
- Belinda Rotfus: famous American gymnast and winner of two Olympic gold medals.
- Yolanda Rotfus: renowned Brazilian artist and sculptor, best known for her large-scale abstract bronze sculptures in public spaces.
- Robert Rotfus: award-winning American author who wrote the biography of Abraham Lincoln.
- Liza Rotfus: respected English historian and author, best known for her studies on the Victorian period.