Surname Rollwagen - Meaning and Origin

Rollwagen: What does the surname Rollwagen mean?

The last name Rollwagen literally translates from German to mean “wheel-wagon”. This last name likely comes from an old Germanic occupational surname, indicating a wagon builder or driver. This occupational association is further evidenced by its presence in German city records, having been found in places like Oberhausen, Morsbach, and Solingen dating back to the 1300s.

The origins of this last name may have further relevance to the Germanic culture. Wagon wheels were an essential tool that was used both to transport goods and for defense during medieval times. As such, having the expertise to effectively build and maneuver one could be an incredibly valuable skill set during those times, and it would make sense for those proficient to be given a special distinction.

Additionally, the Rollwagen name could have a spiritual component to it. In German folklore, wheels represent the Wheel of Fortune, which could be an analogy for fate. Thus, the family who adopted the last name Rollwagen may have believed in the importance of recognizing and accepting destiny.

No matter their origin, the Rollwagen surname has a long history; it’s been used for over 700 years to recognize the skill of a wagon builder or driver, or perhaps to acknowledge a spiritual concept of fate.

Rollwagen: Where does the name Rollwagen come from?

The last name Rollwagen is most commonly found in areas of Germany and the Netherlands today. It is uncertain when or why the Rollwagen name originated, but it first appeared in documents in the late 16th century in the Netherlands. From there, it is believed to have spread to Northwestern Germany and areas of the Rhineland.

Today, the name appears most often in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. Within North Rhine-Westphalia, Rollwagen is most prevalent in the city of Duisburg, counting as one of the top ten most common surnames in that area. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the name appears most frequently in the cities of Kaiserslautern, Worms, and Grünstadt.

The Netherlands also has a small number of people with the surname Rollwagen. This is mainly found in the provinces of North Holland and South Holland, especially in the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The name Rollwagen is rare outside of Germany and the Netherlands. It is known to appear in Belgium and Austria, as well as in some parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Rollwagen

Rollwagen is a German surname derived from the term 'Rolwagen', meaning 'cart on wheels'. Its variants and spellings are Rolwage, Rolwagen, Rolwag, Rolwegen, Rulfagen, Rollwagen, Rulwagen, Rilwagen, Roelwag and Roelwagen.

In German-speaking countries and in America, Rollwagen is usually pronounced with a rolling R, as in the original German version. The 'l' may also be pronounced as a soft 'v' or a 'w'.

The Dutch and Frisian equivalents of Rollwagen are Rolwagge, Rolwage, Rollwag and Rollwage, respectively. In the Netherlands, the spelling 'Roelwag' is also used.

In Austria, Rollwagen can also be spelled 'Rolwaage', as can the dialectal variant 'Rolwaegen'. The Swabian variant is 'Rulwagen'. In the Oberammergau area of Bavaria, the dialectal variant is written 'Rilwagen'.

In the United States, the surname has at times been Anglicized to Rolfage. Other anglicized variants include Rollfage, Rollfegen, Rollfagen and Rulwahge.

Overall, the surname Rollwagen has many variants and spellings in German-speaking countries as well as in the Netherlands and the United States.

Famous people with the name Rollwagen

• Erik Rollwagen: American filmmaker and creator of the web series The Uprising
• Reinhard Rollwagen: German Olympic rower
• Wolfgang Rollwagen: German actor
• Ian Rollwagen: American classical and jazz guitarist
• Ansgar Rollwagen: German Olympic swimmer
• Darcy Rollwagen: Canadian model and former member of the band Reunion
• Salomon Rollwagen: German entomologist and explorer
• Dick Rollwagen: Canadian politician
• Heinrich Rollwagen: German astronomer
• Jan Rollwagen: American fine artist

Other surnames

Rollwage