Surname Ruhling - Meaning and Origin
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Ruhling: What does the surname Ruhling mean?
The surname Ruhling is of German origin and is most commonly found in northern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to originate from the Middle High German word "ruhlen", which means “to roar” or “to howl”. The name is thought to have started life as a nickname for someone who was loud and vocal, and the surname has been in existence since the 13th century.
Historical records suggest that the earliest known families with the surname Ruhling were based in the Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt regions during the late Middle Ages. During this period, they were typically farmers, shepherds, or homemakers. By the 15th century, some members of the family had moved into what is now modern-day Germany.
In the modern day, the Ruhlings are a large extended family, with branches in Canada, the United States, Germany, Austria, and Russia. In 18th century Germany, some significant historical figures of the family included senators, mayors, and government officials.
The Ruhlings of today are a diverse and varied family, most of whom still live in a variety of European countries. Despite their different lives and experiences, they are all united by their shared ancestry and continue to keep their family history alive.
Order DNA origin analysisRuhling: Where does the name Ruhling come from?
The last name Ruhling is mostly found in Germany and in countries with a history of German ancestry. According to Forebears, a genealogical research platform, Ruhling is the 933rd most common last name in Germany with approximately 13,408 people carrying the family name. It is also found in smaller numbers in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, and the United States.
In the United States, the surname Ruhling is found in moderate numbers in many states such as Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri. These states contain populations of people who likely had German ancestors some generations ago. Many of these states have large, historically German-American populations that have maintained their culture and surnames over the years.
Ruhling is a German topographic surname and is derived from Middle High German 'ruh' meaning 'peaceful'. It was likely first used as a family name to denote someone that originated from a peaceful town or region. The spelling variations of the name include Ruehling, Ruehlin, Ruehlmann, Ruhling, Ruehling, and Ruehling.
It is not uncommon to see the Ruhling name in Germany today, particularly in the Lower Saxony region. With it's German ancestry, it is likely that the Ruhling family will continue to carry on the surname for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Ruhling
The surname Ruhling is derived from the Germanic personal name Ruhl, meaning “red” or “brave”. Common variants of the surname Ruhling include Ruhl, Ruhlman, Ruhlingen, and Rouhling. The name is also spelled as Rule, Ruin, Ruha, Ruhe, Ruh and Rouhl.
There are a variety of different surnames that are derived from the same origin as Ruhling. These include the German surnames Rahling, Rehling, Roling, Roeling, Roelling, Roiehl, and Ruehl. Other regionalized forms include Ryhl, Reul, Riel, Rael, Rehl, Rehlinger, Reuling, Reiling, Reilinger, Reling, Rehlin, and Reelink.
In France, the spelling has evolved to Ruel, Rouer, Rouel, Rollin, Rouillard, Ruillier, and Rouall. In Portugal, the surname is spelled as Roullo and Roullier. In the Low Countries, the surname is spelled as Rouweler, Rouvelaer, and Rueler. In Denmark, the surname is spelled as Rohl and Rol. In Scandinavia, the surname is spelled as Röhl, Röling, Ruul, and Ruland.
In England, the surname is also derived from the same origin. Common spellings include Rule, Ruland, Rowland, Rowlands, Rollo, Rolland, Rolls, Rowlan, Rollans, Roull, Rouller, and Roulston.
In the United States, variations of the Ruhling surname include Roeling, Ruling, Rouling, Rehling, Rhee, Reuling, and Ruddles. The surname is also found in other countries such as Ireland, Australia, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Ruhling
- Peter Ruhling, author of “God’s Great Outdoors”
- Charles Ruhling, Jr., American mathematician and logician
- Matthias Carl Ruhling, chess master, writer and publisher
- Michael Ruhling, American opera singer
- Friedrich Ruhling, German pianist and composer
- Elisabeth Ruhling, French ballet dancer
- Eugen Ruhling, German wood sculptor
- Emanuel Ruhling, German cartographer
- Henry Ruhling, German organist and composer
- Evelyn Ruhling, Austrian-American soprano singer