Surname Rothfuß - Meaning and Origin

Rothfuß: What does the surname Rothfuß mean?

Rothfuß is a German surname which literally translates to “red foot”. It is an example of a common type of German surname known as an ornamental name. These surnames are often derived from physical attributes and were used to distinguish individuals of the same given name.

Since the Battle of Hastings in England in 1066, a large number of German families have left Germany and settled primarily in other countries in Europe. The Rothfuß surname is thought to be among the earliest of these German immigrant families.

It is possible that the name Rothfuß originated as an occupational name, as well. The early Rothfuß families could have served as cloth or woolen merchants since the manufacture of cloth requires that the feet of the workers who clean and dye the cloth be dyed red. This was a sign of the worker's occupation and could have then been adopted as a family surname over time.

It is estimated that there are many families carrying the Rothfuß surname throughout the globe today. The name originated in Germany but it is currently common in Switzerland, Austria, and other countries in Europe. It is also seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The Rothfuß surname is thought to have been derived from physical attributes, occupational origins, or possibly even a place name. No matter its origin, the name has allowed Rothfuß families to be distinguished since its emergence hundreds of years ago.

Rothfuß: Where does the name Rothfuß come from?

The last name Rothfuß is most commonly found in Germany today. It is of Germanic origin and was primarily used in the Middle Ages. Historically, the surname was known as an occupational name that referred to someone who made or sold felt hats. In modern times, the last name Rothfuß continues to be found in Germany and its surrounding countries.

In Germany, the incidence rate of the surname was higher 25 years ago due to its prevalence in West Germany. Currently, it is much more seldom to find it with a concentration in central and eastern Germany. However, Germany is not the only place where this last name can be found; the surname Rothfuß is also present in some Austrian, Swiss, and Dutch states.

Outside of Europe, the Rothfuß surname is less common. There are people with the last name in North and South America, but it is slightly less frequent. Some non-European countries have families bearing the surname, yet most of these countries have family ties to Germany.

In conclusion, the last name Rothfuß is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands today, with a minor presence in North and South America. It is an old Germanic name that was once used as an occupational title for hat-makers and is still used by many families today.

Variations of the surname Rothfuß

The surname Rothfuß is an old German name, derived from the words ‘ Roth ‘ meaning Red and ‘ Fuß’ meaning Foot , thus ‘Red Foot’ in English. It likely has roots in an old, occupational name; it’s thought that it originally denoted a shoemaker or someone who walked a lot, such as a messenger or courier.

Rothfuß can be spelled in various ways including Rothfuss, Rothphuss, Rotphuss, Rotfuss, Rotphuss, Rotpus, and Rothpfuss. Variants of these surnames are also quite common in areas where German is still spoken, such as Austria and Switzerland. These variants include Rotpössel, Rotpfässel, Rotbeiss, Rotbess, Rotbeißel, Rotbeisse, Ruethpfoser, and Ruedpfusse.

It is also possible that Rothfuß may have developed from a place name; "Roth" (Red or Reddish) and "Fuß" (Foot) are still common placenames in parts of Germany, and could have been the origin of the surname.

Rothfuß is a widespread surname, so its many variants are now found across Europe and other parts of the world. It is considered to be a significant name, with trained genealogists many times able to trace back families using it to the early 1700s.

Famous people with the name Rothfuß

• Richard Rothfuss: Actor
• Jeff Rothfuss: Composer
• John Rothfuss Sr.: Professional Golfer
• Anton Rothfuss: Tenor
• Peter Rothfuss: Archaeologist
• William Rothfuss: Musician
• Anna Rothfuss: Politician
• Karl Rothfuss: Painter
• Marcus Rothfuss: Computer Scientist
• Christina Rothfuss: Paintings Conservator
• Renee Rothfuss: Writer
• Joe Rothfuss: Musician
• Caroline Rothfuss: Scientist
• Florian Rothfuss: Illustrator
• Keith Rothfuss: TV Producer
• Theo Rothfuss: Actor
• Emma Rothfuss: Entrepreneur
• Nikolas Rothfuss: Bond Trader
• Gus Rothfuss: Writer
• Matt Rothfuss: IT Consultant

Other surnames

RothfuchsRothfuhs