Surname Rolfes - Meaning and Origin

Rolfes: What does the surname Rolfes mean?

The last name Rolfes is of German origin and is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Rudolf. It typically originated from the given name of a person’s father, grandfather, or another ancestor. The name Rudolf is derived from the Old High German name Hrodulf, meaning “fame-wolf”. It was popularised as a given name after Rudolf of Habsburg was crowned as Roman-German King in 1273.

The variation of the pronunciation of the name from Europe to America evolved over time. In Europe, generally, r-o-l-f is pronounced, and Rolf is pronounced “Rollf.” However, in America the pronunciation is typically “Rolfs” or “Rolphs.”

The Rolfes family name has been present in various parts of Europe since the Middle Ages, when the term was used to refer to a distinguished descendant of the same ancestral name. In the ensuing centuries, the name spread in Europe, especially throughout Germany but also to countries of Scandanavia.

The Rolfes family in America trace their ancestry to Germany. The earliest ancestor in America appears to have been Johannes Rolfes, who immigrated in the early 19th century and settled in Pennsylvania. His descendants continue to live in Pennsylvania and other parts of the United States and the name is still found throughout the nation.

It is believed that the modern day family members who bear the surname of Rolfes are all related in some way. The continued presence of the name reflects upon its antiquity and honorability.

Rolfes: Where does the name Rolfes come from?

Rolfes is a surname of Germanic origin. It is most commonly found in Germany and areas of Central Europe, such as Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. It is a fairly uncommon name in the United States, as it is only the 3,487th most popular given surname recorded there.

In Germany, the Rolfes name is most commonly found around the Rhineland of Northwestern Germany, where it has been present since the 16th century. It usually originates from a rafter or roofer, as the German term “Rolfe” means “Raefer” or someone who would build and construct the roofs of homes. During the Middle Ages, this job was an important and necessary one, and hence, many people took it on and the Rolfes surname has had a presence there since then.

The vast majority of Rolfes in the U.S. today are of German heritage and trace their family histories to either Germany or one of the neighboring countries, such as Austria or the Czech Republic. Rolfes in America today can also be found in large numbers in large cities with large immigrant populations, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and even smaller cities that have been popular places for immigrants to settle, such as St. Louis.

In North America today, the Rolfes surname is still relatively uncommon. However, it can often be seen in places which had large waves of German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania and Illinois. It is also present in scattered communities among the descendants of the European immigrants.

Variations of the surname Rolfes

The surname Rolfes is a German immigrant name which originated during the colonization of the United States. It is derived from the pre-7th century Germanic words "hroda" meaning red-haired, and "faz" meaning bold or brave. The variant spellings of Rolfes include Rolf, Rolph, Rolff, Rolfe, Rollf, Rollff, Roelfs, Rolfs, Rolfsen, Rolfsson, and any combination thereof.

In early records of Pennsylvania and Virginia, Rolfes was typically anglicized to Rolf or Rolph, the more popular variant spellings of the time. Rolfe and Rolff, on the other hand, were most likely derived from Scandinavia and believed to stem from a combination of Germanic and Norse influences. Rolfsen was the Norwegian spelling of the name, while Rolfsson is Icelandic.

In Germany, the name Rolfes still exists and is spelled as Rolffs, like the Scandinavian variations. Other surname variants in Germany include Rolles, Roeles, Roelz, and Roelke, all of which translate to "brave people".

Interestingly, Rolfes were also linked to a number of branches of the British peerage. For example, Rolfe was the family name of a branch of the Earl of Sevenoaks, of whom the well-known author Rudyard Kipling was a member. So while you may not be able to trace these links today, if your ancestor was of British nobility, it is possible they have a pedigree connected to the Rolfes surname.

Famous people with the name Rolfes

• Lauren Rolfes: a fashion designer known for her gender inclusive, eco-friendly collections
• Jeanine Rolfes: an experimental orchestral and film composer
• Peter Rolfes: a co-founder and executive of Nordstrom department store
• John Rolfes: a Brazilian businessman and CEO of BRK Ambiental
• Tom Rolfes: a sound editor who has worked on many blockbuster films
• Madden Rolfes: an American singer, songwriter and musician
• Logan Rolfes: an actor and producer who, in 2019, won Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards for his role in the show "Succession"
• Franz Rolfes: a German artist, known for his cubist-style paintings
• Eileen Rolfes: a U.S. Army veteran and author of the book "My Life in the Service: A Memoir"
• Edward Rolfes: an Olympic rowing champion who represented Great Britain at the 1948 London Olympics

Other surnames

RolfeRölferRolfers