Surname Rolf - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering the Deep Roots of My Heritage: A Revelation of the Rolf Surname through iGENEA DNA Testing
Embarking on a personal journey through my DNA with iGENEA provided enlightening insights into my ancestry, reshaping my understanding of the Rolf surname and making me question my previous assumptions about my identity. As it turned out, the Rolfs are not merely of British descent but have strong ties to ancient Scandinavian lineages, linking us to the historic Vikings. This revelation has prompted a reevaluation of my personal and family identity, amplifying the importance of my surname as a symbol of my heritage.
Q. Rolf
read moreRolf: What does the surname Rolf mean?
The last name "Rolf" is of Old German origin and is derived from the personal name "Hrolf". It is a cognate of the Old Norse name "Hrólfur", which is itself composed of the elements "Hrōd", meaning "fame", and "wulf", meaning "wolf". Therefore, the name can be interpreted as "Famous Wolf". The name was popular among Scandinavian and Norman settlers in England and was brought over to the American colonies by early settlers. It may have originally been bestowed as a nickname upon a person who demonstrated qualities or characteristics associated with a wolf, such as cunning, fierceness or courage. Over time, it evolved into a surname. Like many surnames, its usage as a given name has become less common over the centuries. Still, you can find many people around the world, especially in countries of Western Europe and the United States, who bear the last name "Rolf". It's a testament to their descent from a long line of ancestors known for their reputation and strength, as symbolized by a famous wolf.
Order DNA origin analysisRolf: Where does the name Rolf come from?
The surname Rolf is a German and Scandinavian surname that is still common today. In Germany, it is most commonly found in the north and east of the country, including the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In Scandinavia, it is most commonly found in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. In addition to these areas, Rolf is also relatively common in countries with a strong German-speaking influence, such as Austria, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.
In the United States, Rolf is predominantly a surname of German and Scandinavian origin, and is one of the most common surnames in the northeastern and midwestern regions of the country. In addition to being a relatively common name across the United States, the Rolf surname can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many other nations around the world.
Given the prevalence of German and Scandinavian immigration to the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname Rolf has retained much of its original spelling and pronunciation. This factor, combined with the continued immigration of Germans and Scandinavians, has helped the surname to persist throughout many areas of the world.
Variations of the surname Rolf
The surname Rolf, as a Germanic name, is derived from the personal name Hrolf, which is a compound of hrod (fame or glory) and wulf (wolf), meaning “famous wolf.” It is believed to have originated in Nordic or Gaels cultures.
The variant spellings and surnames for Rolf may vary by geographic region, however, some of the more common spellings throughout the world are: Roelf, Rollf, Ruhlf, Rolfe, Rulof, Rulofs, Roloff, Roloffs, Rolofs, Rollofs, and Rowlf.
In Germany, the name is usually spelt as Rolf or Rölf, and is sometimes assumed to have been adopted from Sweden and Denmark, where the name is usually spelt as Ruud.
In the Netherlands, the version of Rof is most common, while in Scandinavia, it's usually spelt as Rud. In North East England and Scotland, the spelling variant Roul is becoming increasingly common.
In the United States, the name is usually spelt as Rolf, Rolfe, or Rolfs. Having arrived in the country from Germany and the Netherlands, some Amercanized surname variants have risen such as Rolfson, Rollfson, Rollfs, and Roul by the 1800s.
In French speaking countries, the French version of the same, Raulf is usually used. The Spanish version is Rolfo or Rolofo, and in Italy the name remains the same.
Meanwhile, some holders of the Rolf surname may have adopted other variations such as Rawl, Rawly, Roley, Rowley, Roelofs, Raulfs, Rolffs, Roul, Rouls, Roulfs, Rhault, Rhouly, Roell, Runolfs, Roonolf and Rhulof.
Famous people with the name Rolf
- Uwe Rolf: German actor 2.Olaf Rolf: former German football goalkeeper 3.Jon Rolf: Norwegian short track speed skater 4.Trevor Rolf: British footballer 5.Tobias Rölle: German footballer 6.Fritz Rolf: former Swiss Alpine skier 7.André Rolf: German footballer 8.Valdemar Rolf: Norwegian businessman and politician 9.Anita Rolf: Danish swimmer 10.Carl Rolf: Swedish cyclist
- Tore Rolf: Norwegian cross country skier and coach 12.Rolf Czeschka: German photographer 13.Max Rolf Fröhlich: German actor 14.Kirsten Rolf: Canadian sculptor 15.Thorbjørn Rødland: Norwegian photographer 16.Bernard Rolf: French politician 17.Rolf Gonzales: Chilean composer and conductor 18.Anders Rolf: Swedish footballer 19.Hans Rolf: Swiss skier 20.Andy Rolf: British record producer