Surname Rohlfer - Meaning and Origin
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Rohlfer: What does the surname Rohlfer mean?
The last name Rohlfer is derived from the German word "rohlfer", which generally refers to someone with reddish-brown hair. The word was used to distinguish individuals with unusual hair color, and this name became more popular in the early part of the 20th century. More recently the name has spread through Eastern Europe, primarily Germany and Poland.
The Rohlfer surname is typically an occupational name, meaning the original bearer of the name may have been a hairdresser or barber. Alternatively, the name may have been given to someone who lived near a fresh-water stream, which in German can be referred to as "Rohlfer", or a hollow.
The Rohlfer family coat of arms features a blue shield divided into four sections, all of which feature the same emblems. The shield is encircled with a crest composed of a red universal star above two crossed swords. The star is symbolic of victory, power and the noble family history, while the swords symbolize vigilance and courage in battle.
Historically, the Rohlfer name has been a popular one, largely due to its unique origin and meaning. It also carries with it a certain level of regality, the shield and crest suggest that the family was of certain prominent status in the past.
Order DNA origin analysisRohlfer: Where does the name Rohlfer come from?
The last name Rohlfer is most commonly found in Germany, with the state of Bavaria having the greatest concentration of people with that name. It is believed to trace its origins to the old Germanic word ‘hrod’, meaning ‘famous’ or ‘renown’.
The Rohlfer surname is also found in other areas of Germany, as well as Austria, Switzerland, the United States and Canada. In the U.S. it’s mainly concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast regions. It’s estimated around 900 people are living in America with the Rohlfer surname. Most emigrated from Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s, looking for better opportunities and social and economic advancement.
In addition to these countries, the last name can be found in parts of Central Europe, including the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. It appears to be a relatively rare surname, with fewer than 3,000 people bearing the name across the world.
The popular surname Rohlfer is reflective of its history and the lives of those who have borne it over the centuries. Those with the surname are proud of their heritage and continue to keep alive the legacy of their ancestors.
Variations of the surname Rohlfer
The Rohlfer surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly found in areas of Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. Rohlfer is a name that has multiple spellings, including Rohlfer, Röhlfer, Rölfer, Rölffer, and Rolfer. It can also be spelled as Ruffler, Rühler, Ruhler, Ruflen, and Ruehl.
Rohlfer is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the first name of one's father and given to his descendants. Its root is the German name Rolf or Rudolf, which is derived from the Old High German Hrodwulf, meaning 'renowned wolf'.
Variants of the Rohlfer surname are often found in Austria, where Rohlfer is spelled Rauhfuss, Raudlfuß, Raufluss, and Raubfuss. This surname variant is also found in other countries in German-speaking Europe including Switzerland, where the spelling Rüfli is used. It is also present in the Netherlands, where the variant Ruijler is found.
In addition, the surname Rohlfer has been anglicized to variants such as Roller, Roelfs, Ralphs, Rohlffs, and Rolfes. Other frequent variations include Rohlf, Rolph, Rolphs, and Rolffs. All are ultimately derived from the Old High German word 'hrodwulf'.
Famous people with the name Rohlfer
- Doug Rohlfer: An American baseball pitcher who played in the Major League.
- Peter Rohlfer: A German musicologist and director of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.
- Maria Rohlfer: An Austrian mezzo-soprano and vocal teacher at the Conservatory of Music in Vienna.
- Hans-Jörg Rohlfer: A German actor and director.
- Hildegard Rohlfer: An Icelandic sculptor and painter.
- Gretchen Rohlfer: An American fashion designer and businesswoman.
- Susan Rohlfer: An American ceramic artist.
- Chris Rohlfer: An American television writer and director.
- William Rohlfer: An American stockbroker and later a brewery executive.
- James Rohlfer: An American entrepreneur and real estate investor.
- Bill Rohlfer: An American football coach.
- Ed Rohlfer: An American professional wrestler.
- Wendy Rohlfer: An American painter and printmaker.
- Norman Rohlfer: An American chemist, professor, and dean of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Kurt Rohlfer: A German field marshal in the Wehrmacht during World War II.