Surname Rotkopf - Meaning and Origin
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Rotkopf: What does the surname Rotkopf mean?
The last name Rotkopf is a German surname meaning "red head." The name likely refers to a person of red hair or ruddy complexion. Historically speaking, the name was likely used as an identifier of a particular individual, perhaps one which could be easily spotted in a crowd. It has also been used as an occupational name, with some individuals likely being furriers or traders of furs and hides known as Rotkopf.
In more modern times, the last name is still very much in use, and there are individuals living with this surname located all over the world. The name is still widely used to identify people with a reddish-tint to their hair, the most prominent being former President of the United States Ronald Reagan as well as many other celebrities. In Germany itself, the Rotkopf surname remains fairly common.
In any case, Rotkopf is an interesting and unique surname which conjures up the imagery of red hair, and has a long and varied history.
Order DNA origin analysisRotkopf: Where does the name Rotkopf come from?
The surname Rotkopf is derived from the German language, with Rot meaning ‘red’ and Kopf meaning ‘head’. Thusly, Rotkopf translates to ‘redhead’ or ‘red cap.’ There are conservative estimates of around ten thousand individuals with the Rotkopf surname living across the world today, the vast majority residing in the United States and Germany.
While the geographic origin of the Rotkopf surname has been traced to Germany, it is possible that there were families with the same name living in the surrounding countries as well. This is especially likely in Central and Eastern Europe, where large Jewish populations existed prior to World War II.
The US census of 2000 showed strong numbers for the name in several states. Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, California, and Illinois all hosted over one hundred families with the Rotkopf surname. Although the numbers had fallen slightly since the 1990 census, the consistency of presence in these states showed that the Rotkopf surname is still alive and well.
The Rotkopf name is also popular in Germany. As of 2015, the most recent official records estimated the number of individuals with the Rotkopf surname living within the state of Bavaria to be well over five hundred. Furthermore, the southern German city of Nuremberg also saw a number of Rotkopf families living within its borders.
Although the Rotkopf surname may not be as widespread today as it was in the past, its presence is still quite strong, with families living in the US and Germany in particular. With a storied legacy spanning over centuries, the Rotkopf surname is likely to remain in existence for years to come.
Variations of the surname Rotkopf
The surname Rotkopf has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of Rotkopf include Rotkopp, Rotkop, Rottekopp, Rotgewepp, Rottkopf, Reddikopf, and Rotekopp. These variant spellings all come from the German root word Rot, meaning "red," and Kopf, meaning "head."
The surname Rotkopf is also found in other countries, such as the Czech Republic, where it is spelled Rotkopová, or the Netherlands, where it is spelled Rotkopf. In Poland, the surname is spelled Rotkop and in Russia, Rotkopov.
Common surnames associated with the Rotkopf origin include Rotkey, Rotkowski, Rotke, Rotcky, Rotkovich, Rotkivich, Rothkopf, Redneck, Roothkopf, and Redkopf. These surnames may have been adapted from the original Rotkopf after emigrating to new countries and cultures.
Additional spellings of the surname Rotkopf include
Rottkopp, Rhodaccop, Roteckopf, Rottschopf, Rhodekopf, Redikhof, Ruhdekopp, Radkekopf, Raidkoff, Roockopf, Roethckopp, and Rothkupp.
Overall, Rotkopf has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, each of which has been adapted for different countries, cultures, and languages.
Famous people with the name Rotkopf
- Erhard Rotkopf: the German writer and literary translator
- Gabriella Rotkopf: an American professional illustrator
- Adam Rotkopf: an American artist, designer, and sculptor
- F. J. Heeren Rotkopf: a 19th-century German textile expert
- Franklin Rotkopf: a 20th-century Salzburg-born psychologist
- Irving F. Rotkopf: a 20th-century American professor of theatre, film, and television
- Marge Rotkopf: an American textile artist and costume designer
- Ronnie Rotkopf: an American professional drag racer
- Steve Rotkopf: an American professional baseball player
- Tommy Rotkopf: a 20th-century American baseball player and manager