Surname Rolka - Meaning and Origin

Rolka: What does the surname Rolka mean?

The last name Rolka is derived from the Middle High German word 'rolle' meaning a cartwheel, which likely refers to a trade involving the use of carts with wheels. The surname is found mainly in Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus, and is believed to have originated in the regions near the Baltic Sea. Recorded variations of the name include Rolke, Rulke, and Rulky.

In many instances, the surname was likely used to describe a person who manufactured or repaired cart wheels, giving the name an occupational origin, although it may also have been adopted as a nickname for someone who bore a resemblance to a cartwheel in their appearance.

The name can also be considered as a habitational surname, as it was likely given to someone who lived near a place named Grulka. This could be a hill, an estate, or a town name, for instance.

During the Middle Ages, families often moved around in search for opportunities and changed their surnames multiple times. Thus, there are many variants of the name that stem from these earlier forms, such as Rulge or Rulgo.

Today, the name Rolka is primarily associated with those of eastern European descent, although its origin is said to date back much further in lineage. Despite this, Rolka is not common, and it is estimated that the family name has only around 500 known members.

Rolka: Where does the name Rolka come from?

The last name Rolka is often found in Slavic countries, where it is a popular surname derived from the word “rolka,” meaning wheel. In Poland, it is the 31st most common name in the country and also popular in Slovakia and Bulgaria. Its frequency also increases in countries with large Slavic diasporas, such as the United States and Canada. In the US, more than 500 people have the name, though it is not that numerous compared to other surnames. However, in areas such as the Upper Midwest, where much of America’s Slavic diaspora is concentrated, it is more common.

The name Rolka is an old one, noted in records from the 16th century, and its root is the Polish word “rolka” which came from the Germanic “hrol-ka” meaning “wheel.” Before this, it likely descended from the Celtic “rol” meaning “round” or “circular.” The Roman scholar Pomponius Mela described the Celts as having round shields with “wheels” on the side, relating to why the name may have been derived from this.

An unusual version of the Rolka name is found in the United States, where it is spelled Rulka or Rulkowski. This variant has Polish and Yiddish roots and is a form more commonly found in the eastern US.

Overall, the name Rolka is primarily concentrated in the Slavic regions, with a minor presence in other areas globally.

Variations of the surname Rolka

The surname Rolka is originally derived from the Middle High German word ‘rodelke’ which means a little wheel. This surname is most common in parts of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, however is also found in parts of Austria, Hungary and Ukraine.

Variants of the surname Rolka include Roland, Roleck, Rodelka, Röhlke, Rollka, and Rollke. In some countries, such as Slovakia, the surname has been subject to various spellings including Rohlka, Rohlke, Rôhlka, Rôhlki, Rollins, Roolke, and Roulka.

Surnames of the same origin include Roll and Rolla, which are possibly derived from the same root word as Rolka but with a different spelling.

Rolka is also sometimes classified as a patronymic surname, which means that it is derived from a given name of the father, typically the first name. In this case, it is derived from the name Roland. Variations of this surname include Rolanda, Rolandka, Rolaneck, Rolandek, Rolandek, Rolandka, Rolandki and Rolland.

In terms of other surnames that are derived from the surname Rolka, some of the more common variants include Rohlka, Rohlke, Roleck, Roolek, Roulka, and Rollins. Variations of some of these surnames include Rollach, Rollack, Rollich, Rolleck, Rollek, Rullka and Rulka.

Finally, surnames that share a similar derivation but with a different spelling of the root word include Roll, Rollka and Rolla. Variations of these surnames include Roleka, Rolia, Rolka, Rollek and Rella.

Famous people with the name Rolka

• Michael Rolka: American soccer player and former coach of the New England Revolution.
• Anja Rolka: Slovak figure skater and 1984 Olympian.
• Tom Rolka: German athlete and athlete for Bayer Leverksuen.
• Helmut Rolka: Austrian composer and pianist, and member of the Academy of Music and Art.
• Ekaterina Rolka: Russian pentathlete and competitor in the 2006 World Championships.
• Alain Rolka: Belgian musician and percussionist for the Belgian jazz band, Jazz.
• Eric Rolka: American animator whose work includes the television series Race for the Galaxy, Animaniacs and other animated films.
• Pete Rolka: American film and television editor whose credits include Strangers with Candy, The Office and The Secret Life of Bees.
• Maya Rolka: Ukrainian-born actress who has appeared in films such as The Counselor, Fast & Furious 6 and The New World.
• Barbara Rolka: German photographer and documentary filmmaker, whose films have been shown in festivals like Berlin International Film Festival.

Other surnames

RolkeRölke