Surname Rohlffs - Meaning and Origin
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Rohlffs: What does the surname Rohlffs mean?
Rohlffs is a German surname derived from an ancestor's job. The name itself means someone who worked as a ropemaker. It is believed to have originated in Lower Saxony in the northern part of Germany.
Ropemakers were responsible for manufacturing ropes, cords, and other materials made primarily from flax, hemp, or jute. They crafted these materials for use in many different industries, ranging from maritime to automotive.
Ropemakers were also responsible for stitching sails, creating curtain and window nettings, as well as repairing or measuring rope coils. Roping of boats and homes was also part of the job.
Today, individuals carrying the last name Rohlffs are likely to be found in Germany and in cities across the world where German immigrants have settled. Bearers of the name stem from one of the earliest rope-making businesses in Germany, and many are related to generations of family members throughout the centuries.
Rohlffs is a prestigious family name that carries with it a great history and tradition. To the Rohlffs family, this name is a source of pride for all the hard work and dedication that their ancestors brought to the job of the rope-making craftsmen.
Order DNA origin analysisRohlffs: Where does the name Rohlffs come from?
The last name Rohlffs is more common today in Northern and Central Europe. It is one of the oldest surnames in Germany, rooted in the Middle Ages, and variants of the name can be found from as early as the 12th century.
Writing about the origins of the Rohlffs surname, the Handbuch der Deutschen Familiennamen (Handbook of German Surnames) from 1897 notes that the name is derived from the old German character name “Rolof” or “Rolf”. This character name came from the old German roth, which means ‘red’, and the suffix -olf.
Today, the Rohlffs surname is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. Northern and central Europe together make up the vast majority of locations where Rohlffs lives. The surname may be occasionally seen in other parts of the world due to migration, but the majority of Rohlffs people live in this region.
Rohlffs is also commonly found among the expat community, with many Rohlffs people found around the world, particularly in the United States and Canada. It is possible that the last name is now expanding beyond Europe, as more people move abroad and spread the Rohlffs name worldwide.
Variations of the surname Rohlffs
The surname Rohlffs is a patronymic surname derived from the given name of Rolph, meaning fame wolf. The variants of the surname Rohlffs include Rolf, Rolfes, Rolfs, Rolff, Rolph, Roelfs, Rollins, Rollef, Rohlf, Rohlfs, and Rollf.
Rolf and Rolfs share the same origin and are spellings of the same name. These variants likely stem from when surnames were being established before the standardization of spelling. It is common for variants to appear in records during the 1500s-1600s.
Rolph and Rollf are less common, yet still valid, variants of the same name. Rolph contains the variant suffix of -ph, while Rollf contains the variant suffix of -llf. Surnames originating from Scandinavian countries often end in variants such as these, indicating their origin in the region.
Rolff, Roelfs, Rollins, and Rollef are seen less commonly today. Amongst these, Rollef appears to be the most traditional. These surnames were likely adapted by immigrants to countries such as the United States in the 1700s-1800s.
The surnames Rohlf and Rohlfs are generally interchangeable. The offshoot of Rohlf could be referencing the spoken form of the surname or a regional dialect. Rohlfs is generally the more accepted spelling and appears more frequently in records.
Overall, the surname Rohlffs has many similar variants and spellings mostly derived from its origin in the given name of Rolph. Variant spellings often appear in records due to inconsistent spelling practices. It is important for genealogists to be aware of the common variants, and to search for these to find relevant records.
Famous people with the name Rohlffs
- Dailin Rohlffs: A competitive swimmer from Minnesota, Dailin Rohlffs is most known for her wins at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year.
- Ethan Rohlffs Bull: A former defensive athlete from East Carolina University, Ethan Rohlffs Bull was drafted for the NFL in 2019 and signed by the Chiefs. He appeared in Super Bowl LIV as part of the Chiefs’ defense.
- Albert Rohlffs: A German-American politician, Albert Rohlffs was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in the early 1900s. He earned recognition for his leadership of the Badger State Banker’s Association.
- Camille Rohlffs-Bradley: One of the first female directors on the board of The Donoghue, Camille Rohlffs-Bradley held the position since 1975. She used her platform to advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and environmental justice.
- John Rohlffs: John Rohlffs, a restaurant manager, is credited with transforming the franchise-model of restaurant management in the United States. He is known for his commitment to providing exceptional service and care for the customer.
- Ellen Rohlffs: As an actress, Ellen Rohlffs has starred in a variety of roles on film and television. She is best known for her roles in “Heathers,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “American Horror Story.”
- Carla Rohlffs: Carla Rohlffs is a world-renowned fashion designer. She has created gowns and costumes for icons such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Jennifer Lopez. Her designs have been featured on the covers of various fashion magazines.
- Gary Rohlffs: A popular novelist and poet, Gary Rohlffs is known for his works about life in rural Wisconsin. His works have been featured in The New Yorker, Buzzfeed, and The Best American Short Stories.