Surname Roelleke - Meaning and Origin

Roelleke: What does the surname Roelleke mean?

The origin of the surname Roelleke is German and can be traced back to the early medieval period. The Germanic root words “ro” and “kul” mean “rooted” and “race” respectively. Thus, the literal translation of Roelleke is “rooted race” or “strong family.” Historically, the surname was most likely used to refer to someone with a strong lineage or ancestry.

The earliest records of the Roelleke surname date back to 1280s, when the Heinrich de Roellke was recorded in a Latin document from the Imperial City of Worms in Germany. It was also documented in the official registers of the Bishopric of Worms in 1290, which noted the marriage of Thomas de Roellke and Heylwig van Hockwold recordings. By 1671, the name Roelleke was common in Germania and Upper Silesia.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many individuals bearing the Roelleke surname immigrated to United States. The spelling of the name shifted slightly, to Roll, Rolle, or Rolla, and families bearing these surnames still live in the US today.

The name Roelleke remains an important part of German history and the genealogy of its bearer’s descendants. As is typical for any surname, it is the identity of the individual and/or their family line that shapes the meaning of the name today. For example, some may be proud to bear the strong and rooted name of Roelleke, while for others the name simply serves as a reminder of their origins.

Roelleke: Where does the name Roelleke come from?

The last name Roelleke is primarily found in parts of Germany, specifically North Rhine-Westphalia. This region of Germany is located in the west-central part of the country and shares a border with the Netherlands and Belgium. During the 19th century, many people with the last name Roelleke emigrated from Germany to the United States and Canada, where it can still be found today. It is also present in small numbers in other parts of Europe, particularly Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia.

In the United States, the name Roelleke is most common in Wisconsin, followed by Minnesota and Illinois. Data from the US Census Bureau indicates that roughly 0.5 per 100,000 people have the last name Roelleke in Wisconsin, with slightly less in Minnesota and Illinois. Other American states with a high concentration of Roelleke include Iowa and Missouri. It is also found in other countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa.

Overall, the presence of the last name Roelleke is relatively small in most parts of the world. However, thanks to the large number of people who emigrated in the 19th century, it is still present in significant incidences in parts of Germany, the United States and other countries.

Variations of the surname Roelleke

The Roelleke surname is of German origin and has several variant spellings and surnames, such as: Roelke, Roelcke, Rölleke, Roellke, Röhlke, Röhlcke, Ro"lke, Raelleke, Rawelke, Rauleke, Rielke, Riehlke, Ryelke, Ryleke, Reichleke, Reicke, Reichlecke, Reichelke, Reichelcke, Rählke, Railke, Reinleke, Rheinleke, Rimke, Rudycke, Ryhleke, Ruehlke, Ruhleke, and Ruhlke.

The origin of the Roelleke surname comes from the Germanic personal name Ragin-, meaning "counsel". The name arose from the Germanic words ragin, meaning “advice”, and ric, meaning “power”. This surname was first found in the Easter Tyrol region in Southwest Germany. It is believed to have originated with the feudal lords of the same name during the Middle Ages.

Over time, the name expanded to Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium. It is especially common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Additionally, the Dutch spelling Ruelke has also been found in the Netherlands, and the Prussian spelling Rölleke in East Prussia. Immigrants of this surname also arrived in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in the late 19th century.

The Roelleke surname continues to be found in both Europe and the United States. Variants of the name are also found in other countries and regions as a result of later immigration. These variants can help those researching their family histories trace their lineage to Germany further back in time.

Famous people with the name Roelleke

• Stuart Roelleke: a German radio personality and entertainer.
• Matthias Roelleke: German politician and former member of the Bundestag.
• Carly Roelleke: professional dancers, choreographers and teachers.
• Peter Roelleke: German sketch artist and impressionist.
• Maurice Roelleke: American baseball player.
• Ray Roelleke: American former National Football League player.
• Jeffrey Roelleke: American former NFL player.
• Barnet Roelleke: American Olympic speed skater.
• Stuart Roelleke: American voiceover artist, radio producer and writer.
• Danny Roelleke: American former NHL player.

Other surnames

RoelleRoellecke