Surname Rolofs - Meaning and Origin
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Rolofs: What does the surname Rolofs mean?
Rolofs is a surname of Dutch and German origin. It is derived from the personal name Rudolf, which is a mixture of two Germanic elements - "hrod" meaning "fame," and "wolf" meaning "wolf." The name was usually given to someone with a noble or bold spirit, like the legendary wolf.
Historically, Rolofs has been a surname found in many different regions of Europe. In Germany, the name is seen as a variation on the surname Rudolph. It is also seen as a variant of the Dutch surname Roelofs, which is a shortened form of the name Rodolf or Rudolph.
The surname is most prevalent in the Netherlands, where it is believed to have originated in the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, the Dutch version of the name was popular among noble families in Holland and Friesland. In the modern era, the surname Rolofs can be found in many areas of the Netherlands, as well as among Dutch immigrants to other parts of the world.
Today, Rolofs is also used as a first name in some areas. It can also be associated with a conception of "boldness," with memories of Dutch bravery during the Second World War.
Many individuals and families with the Rolofs surname might be admired for their courageous, brave and noble spirit. They are known to embody a fierce strength, while also being kind and generous in spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisRolofs: Where does the name Rolofs come from?
The last name Rolofs is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 people currently bear the surname in the Netherlands, with a further 3,000 in other parts of Europe.
The origin of the last name Rolofs is uncertain, though some experts believe it to have derived from the Middle Dutch personal name Roloff or Roland, which is itself derived from the Germanic personal name H#r Rolant. The suffixes -off and -f were added to indicate patrilinial descent from the original bearer of the name.
In the Middle Ages, the Rolofs surname was used for occupational purposes, designating those who worked as rol-makers or rolfers, which cultivated land for crops. Later, it was adopted as a patronymic surname, which identified a person as the child or descendent of a man with the same name.
Today, the Rolofs last name is found in various countries throughout Europe, though the vast majority of carriers live in the Netherlands. It is most frequently seen in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as in Germany, France, Austria, and in some parts of Scandinavia. The variant spellings Rolof, Rolf, and Roloff are also common in Europe.
Variations of the surname Rolofs
The surname Rolofs is of distinct German origin and is also commonly found in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. It is derived from the personal name Rolof or its pet form Rolf. Alternate spellings and variants of the surname Rolofs include Rollof, Rolloffs, Rollofson, Rolloffsen, Rawleffs, Rawlefs, Ralloff, Raloff, Rawlefsen, Rolffs, Rolfs, Rolfsen, Rolofson, Raulf, and Rawloff.
In Germany, Rolofs is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the given name of the father. The name Rolof can be found in records dating back as far as the 12th century, although originally it would have been spelled as 'Rodulf'. Generally, many bearers of the Rolofs surname can trace their ancestry back to the Baltic region.
In the Netherlands, the similar variant names Hollofs, Rollofs, and Rooleffs are commonly found. These names are derived from a contraction of the given name Rudolph. Similarly, Danish variants of the name include Rolfsen, Roloffsen, and Rolfson as well as Swedish variants of Rollofson and Rolloffsen.
In Finland, Rolof is among the most common surnames with varying spellings and surnames such as Roloff, Raloff, Rawloff, Rawlefs, and Rawleffs. This surname originated from Sweden with the earliest recorded examples being found in the 16th century.
Overall, these are some of the most commonly found spellings and surname variants related to Rolofs that exist across Europe.
Famous people with the name Rolofs
- Elly Rolofs, Dutch former table tennis player and three-time Olympian
- Diane Rolofs, Member of the Children's Parliament of Zimbabwe
- Lauren Rolofs, American basketball player for the University of South Dakota
- Johann Gottfried Rolofs, German theologian and philosopher
- Mandy Rolofs, Dutch businesswoman and communication specialist
- Art Rolofs, American football player
- Rein Rolofs, Dutch professional footballer
- Gerrit Rolofs, Dutch professor of literature
- Albert Rolofs, American hockey coach
- Robert Rolofs, Dutch former professional footballer