Surname Walraff - Meaning and Origin
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Walraff: What does the surname Walraff mean?
The surname Walraff is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements “wald” meaning “rule” and “raaf” meaning “crow”. Put together, the name likely means “ruler of the crow” or “crow chief”. It is believed that this surname might have been passed down from a distant ancestor with leadership qualities or noble rank, symbolized by the imagery of a ruling crow.
The surname Walraff can be found primarily in the German-speaking nations of Austria, Switzerland and Germany. In Germany, the surname Walraff is most common in the southern and western regions of the country. Records show that the earliest known member of the Walraff family was Johannes Walraff, who was born in Greifenach, Bavaria in 1731.
Today, the Walraff surname is still quite popular in Germany and Austria, where it ranks among the 200 most common surnames. The family’s Nobiliary Title was officially granted in 1928, which has further solidified their reputation as an esteemed family.
Overall, the surname Walraff is thought to have once been a sign of power and respect. It is believed to have been passed down from an ancestor with noble status, and remains a popular surname in parts of Germany and Austria to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisWalraff: Where does the name Walraff come from?
The last name Walraff is most commonly found in Germany today. The earliest mention of Walraff as a surname appears in records from Etsdorf in northern Bavaria and dates back to the 1600s.
The Walraff name can also be found throughout all 16 German states but with varying frequencies. In some parts of Germany, the name is rare while in other areas, it’s much more common.
There are also Walraff families living in Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe. In the United States, especially in the Midwest and New England, Walraff is a fairly common name.
Despite its German origins, the Walraff name is not limited to Germany. In the 21st century, people with the Walraff name can be found in many countries across the world. This includes the United States, Canada, South America, and even countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Overall, the last name Walraff is most predominant in Germany but it can also be found in many parts of the world. Its unusual spelling and history give it a unique identity among the members of the Walraff family.
Variations of the surname Walraff
The surname Walraff can be spelt in several different ways, such as Walraf, Walruff andWalroff. These are all variants of the same name. It is believed to be of low German origin, or influenced by Flanders (Flemish). Other variants include Walrap, Walrapf, Wallraph, Wallraff, Wahlraff, Wollraph and Wolraph.
The surname Walraff is a patronymic surname. It is derived from Germanic personal names like Walram and Waleram, which are derived from the Old High German Walther, meaning "ruler". This surname is mostly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavian countries, where it is fairly popular.
The name Walraff may also have developed from French and Dutch forms of the Germanic Walter. It can also be found in the form of Valerio, Valerius, Valerio, Valery or Valere.
In addition to the variants mentioned above, there are also a few associated surnames that are derived from Walraff, such as the Dutch Van Walraven, Walravens, Waller and Wallers, and the Dutch Walgras. The German Wallcher and the French Vallerand are also recorded as variants.
Finally, the surname Walraff has been used as an Anglicized form of several Irish surnames, such as MacWalsh, Walsh or Welsh, as well as the Gaelic MacPharlain and MacParlan.
Famous people with the name Walraff
- Günter Walraff: German journalist, undercover investigator, and author.
- Gregor Walraff: German actor and screenwriter.
- Myriam Walraff: Swiss art historian and curator.
- Johannes Walraff: German theologian and poet.
- Marianne Walraff: German sculptor and ceramic artist.
- Karl-August Walraff: German businessman and member of the German Resistance during World War II.
- Victor Walraff: Dutch actor, author, and banker.
- Heinz Walraff: Austrian born actor and film producer.
- Heinrich Walraff: German navigator and mathematician.
- Johannes Walraff Schilling: German classical composer and piano teacher.