Surname von Rolf - Meaning and Origin
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von Rolf: What does the surname von Rolf mean?
The surname "von Rolf" is a German name that can be traced back to Middle High German origins. Its meaning is derived from two words, "von" and "Rolf," respectively. The von in German surnames is usually used to denote a noble or aristocratic family line. “Rolf” or “Hrolf” is an ancient Germanic name meaning “fame” or “glory.”
In modern-day Germany, many names beginning with "von" retain their royal or aristocratic distinction, meaning a person with this last name likely originates from a noble family. This name can be traced to the medieval-era Duchy of Welf (also known as Guelph), which was centered around the modern-day city of Hanover and included parts of present-day Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.
The Rolf family can also be found in Bavaria near the town of Erlangen in the Franconian region of Germany. According to documentation from the late Middle Ages, this family was of noble origin and owned several properties in the town of Erlangen.
In short, the surname von Rolf is steeped in German history and culture, indicating the person with this name likely hails from a distinguished family in Germany’s past.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Rolf: Where does the name von Rolf come from?
The Von Rolf surname may be most commonly found today among families of German or Austrian descent. This is due to the fact that the name, von Rolf, is mainly associated with Central European countries, particularly Germany and Austria. The Von Rolf family name dates back to the 13th century and is historically associated with the haute noblesse, or high nobility, of Europe.
Von Rolf families likely originated in Germany, specifically in Brandenburg and Dresden, as members of the noble classes. In more recent times, the name von Rolf has spread beyond Germany and Austria, as members of the family have sought out wealth and prestige in other parts of the world.
Today, Von Rolf family members may be found all over the world. In Germany, many members of the family can be found in major cities such as Berlin, Cologne, and Munich, while Austria is home to some of the largest concentrations of Von Rolf families, particularly in Vienna. There are also several Von Rolf families in the United States, England, and Canada, among other countries.
Von Rolf family members remain proud of their heritage and still go to great lengths to make sure their family name is respected and appreciated all over the world. From the original haute noblesse families to the modern-day Von Rolf families, the Von Rolf name remains a proud part of Central European families, wherever they are.
Variations of the surname von Rolf
Von Rolf is a German surname with several variants and spelling variations. The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1654 in Germany.
The variants of von Rolf include Rolf, Rolph, Rudolph, Rudolpho, Rolfo, Rolfsen, Rolff, Rolfs, Rudolphus, Rolfe, Rolfingen, and Rolfson.
In some instances, the name can be seen as von Rolfe, VonRolfe, vonrulf, and vnRolf.
The surnames of the same origin for von Rolf are Rolff, Rolfs, Rolfsen, and Rolfson. This indicates that some of the von Rolf family members have taken the surname of one of these variant spellings.
In its simplest form, the name is written as Rolf. This translates to mean one who is particularly brave and powerful, often being seen as a hero. The origin of the name is attributed to the Frankish Rolaf, meaning, “famous wolf”. It is also thought to have come from the Old German Hrodwulf or Hrodulf, meaning “renowned wolf”.
The name von Rolf is still present in both Germany and many other countries today and is a proud legacy of many generations.
Famous people with the name von Rolf
- Alexander von Rolf: a famous German fashion designer known for his luxury avant-garde fashion collection.
- Carl von Rolf: a former German politician and state minister.
- Jüi von Rolf: a German actor known for his roles in German movies and television series.
- Augusta von Rolf: a Swiss-born German painter and graphic artist.
- Walter von Rolf: a German botanist and plant researcher.
- Karl von Rolf: a former Imperial German submarine commander during WWI.
- Sophie von Rolf: a German journalist and publicist.
- Peter von Rolf: a German film director and screenwriter.
- Paul von Rolf: a former Prussian Generall Feldzeugmeister.
- Harry von Rolf: a German Goldschmidt and explorer.
- Arnold von Rolf: German bacteriologist and pathologist.
- Alfred von Rolf: German author of books on national and international politics.
- Brigitta von Rolf: Austrian/German non-fiction author and filmmaker.
- Felix von Rolf: a German diplomat, historian, and biographer.
- Karl August von Rolf: a famous German mineralogist.
- Leopold von Rolf: a significant German cartographer.
- Friedrich Wilhelm von Rolf: a former German soldier and politician.
- Hans von Rolf: former German sociologist and political economist.
- Wilhelm von Rolf: successful German business person and founder of the famous Friedel von Rolf athletes brand.