Surname Rohleder - Meaning and Origin

An Unexpected Journey: How My iGENEA DNA Test Altered My Understanding of My Rohleder Ancestors

My iGENEA DNA test led me down a riveting journey of discovery, shattering my preconceived notions about my Rohleder family history. Uncovering unexpected ancestral ties and historically fascinating genetic roots, I found out that my heritage was far more diverse than I had ever imagined.

R. Rohleder

Rohleder: What does the surname Rohleder mean?

Rohleder is a German surname derived from the German “rodel,” meaning a wheel or a circular chariot-like conveyance. The surname is thought to have originated in the medieval period, most likely among behavior makers and wagonry manufacturers in German-speaking regions. Over time, the surname spread to other parts of Germany and took on various forms including Ruleder, Ruheder, and Roleder.

Today, Rohleder is most prevalent in northern and eastern Germany, particularly in the former East Germany. In the United States, Rohleder is a fairly uncommon surname, with fewer than 500 people bearing the name. It is more popular in Germany, with over 10,000 surnamed Rohleder living there.

In addition to its literal meaning, the name Rohleder may also be seen as a symbolic name, likely signifying the circular journey of life or cyclical nature of existence. In some cases, it may represent the idea of progress, as well, suggesting that those who bear the name have overcome or gone full circle in terms of moving forward and have achieved success.

Rohleder: Where does the name Rohleder come from?

The last name Rohleder is a surname that originated in Germany and is of Germanic origin. Today, the last name Rohleder is most commonly found in Germany with nearly 1,400 people in the country sharing the surname. It is also present in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Northeast, with an estimated 600 people bearing the name.

In Germany, the Rohleder surname is sprinkled throughout various parts of the country. It is most often found in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony about 600 people carry the Rohleder last name. In recent years, other German states, such as Baden- Württemberg, have seen a steady increase in individuals carrying the Rohleder surname, bringing the total in Germany closer to 1,400 people.

Outside of Germany, the Rohleder surname is primarily located in the United States. It is estimated that about 600 individuals carry the Rohleder surname in the United States, with the majority living in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. Other states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, also have people sharing the Rohleder surname, but in much smaller numbers.

Overall, the last name Rohleder is most commonly found today in Germany and the United States. While the majority of people with the Rohleder surname reside in Germany, the United States does have a sizeable population of individuals with the name.

Variations of the surname Rohleder

Rohleder is a German surname derived from a combination of two words - 'roh' meaning raw and 'leder' meaning leather. It likely originally referred to someone in the leatherworking profession. Variants of the surname include Rohlederer, Röhleder, Röhlederer, and Rohlederer. In the United States, it has been seen phonetically spelled as Roalder, Roheder, and even Rahleder.

When researching Rohleder surname origins, it is important to remember that the pronunciation of Germanic-origin surnames can vary greatly over time. For example, the name Rölde could become Roalder, which then could become Rolleder or Rholleder over time. Similarly, Rohder could become Röhder which then could become Rielder, Rhileder or Rhölder.

In addition to variant spellings, the Rohleder surname also could have been transferred to other languages. For instance, in France and Belgium it could have been Roelants, in the Netherlands it could have been Röhlants, in Denmark it may have been Røldahl, in Sweden it could have been Röldahl, in Switzerland it may have been Röllat, and in Norway it may have been Røldal.

These variant spellings and surnames of the same origin demonstrate that the Rohleder surname may have experienced multiple changes in spelling, pronunciation, and language over the centuries. Although some of these variants of the Rohleder surname are rare, they are important to consider when researching family genealogy.

Famous people with the name Rohleder

• Johannes Rohleder: German film producer and scriptwriter.
• Franz Rohleder: German composer, music educator, and cultural worker.
• Friedrich Rohleder: German statistician and economist.
• Ruth Rohleder: German former figure skater.
• Lisa Rohleder: German journalist and radio presenter.
• Erika Rohleder: German stage, film, and television actress.
• Mel Rohleder: American film and television actor.
• Alexander Rohleder: German Olympic rower.
• Martin Rohleder: German former luger.
• Katja Rohleder: German celebrity chef.

Other surnames

Rohlederer