Surname Rohlff - Meaning and Origin
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Rohlff: What does the surname Rohlff mean?
Rohlff (also spelled Röhlff, Rohlfs, and Rolfs) is a German surname derived from the Old High German word hrouwilo, meaning "noble fame". The name is likely to have been given to somebody who was of noble status in some way, either through wealth or through title.
In the 17th and 18th century, the Rohlff surname had a unique association with the region of Schleswig-Holstein and its Mecklenburg subregion, located in northern Germany. From this region, a number of Rohlff families, particularly those named Röhlff, emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, mostly settling in the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Northwest.
The Rohlff surname is also found among German Americans in Pennsylvania, where it is likely to have originated. In some cases, the family name was likely changed upon their arrival in the United States, due to the fact that English-speaking immigrants often simplified foreign surnames or changed them altogether.
Rohlff is not an especially common surname. However, there are still people with this surname today, bearing testament to a long and distinguished lineage stretching back over many centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisRohlff: Where does the name Rohlff come from?
The surname Rohlff is a German patronymic surname that originally meant "son of Rolf". It is most commonly found today in North and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
In Germany, the Rohlff surname is most commonly found in the states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Sachsen, and Berlin. It is also moderately common in the states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and finally, the most populous German state, Bavaria.
In the Netherlands, the surname provides somewhat of a minor presence, but is still recognizable. It is typically found in Noord-Holland, Zeeland, and Gelderland.
Rohlff is also commonly found throughout Denmark, with the highest concentrations located in South Jutland and Copenhagen regions.
In Sweden, the Rohlff surname can be found throughout much of the country, particularly concentrated in Skåne and Uppsala.
While Rohlff is more concentrated in Northern and Eastern Europe, it can also be found throughout the world, from Canada to South Africa, due to emigration and diaspora.
Variations of the surname Rohlff
Rohlff is typically spelled with two ‘f’s, but variants of this surname can occasionally be found with a single ‘f’ or one of several alternative spellings.
Rohlf is the most common alternate spelling of the surname. This spelling usually results from the omission of the second ‘f’, usually when quickly sounding out the name. It can also be a way for someone to Anglicize the surname when unsure of the spelling.
Röhl, Rolff, Rohlfs, and Rohlfsen are also closely related variants of the Rohlff name. The first of these is the German spelling of the surname, which has been used in areas of Germany and Austria where this surname is most common. Rolff is simply a variation on the two ‘f’ version of the name, and Rohlfs and Rohlfsen are diminutive forms of the same name, which are often used to refer to descendants with the surname.
Finally, some variants of the Rohlff surname have been found in cases where the usual spelling has changed as a result of migration, such as the surname Rhoulff which is sometimes used in French-speaking countries.
The Rohlff surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. It is also found in areas populated by German immigrants, such as the United States and Canada. Ultimately, any variant spelling of the Rohlff surname can be traced back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Rohlff
- Thomas Rohlff, Danish badminton player
- Rasmus Rohlff, Danish soccer player
- Jan Rohlff, German TV presenter
- Cesilie Carr-Rohlff, Danish cellist
- Solveig Øvstebø Rohlff, Norwegian-Danish film director
- Mads Rohlff, Danish footballer
- Kim Rohlff, Danish football player
- David Rohlff, Danish football player
- Chris Rohlff, Danish athletics coach
- Lukas Rohlff, Danish snowboarder