Surname Rother - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering The Tapestry of My Past: Tracing My Rother Surname through DNA Analysis
Embarking on a captivating journey with iGENEA, I delved deep into the origins of my family name, Rother. The DNA test connected me to my ancestors, revealing intriguing aspects of my heritage, from Celtic origins to possible maritime history.
Z. Rother
read moreRother: What does the surname Rother mean?
The surname Rother is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word "Hrod", which means "renown". This is typically a topographical or occupational surname, as it traditionally would have been used to describe someone living near a stream or river. It could also be found amongst maker of ships, due to its obvious connection to the water.
This surname is not very common in the United States, but is very frequently found in Germany. It is believed that the name first came to this country during the wave of German immigration in the late 19th century. However, it has been present in parts of the United States prior to the modern era.
The meaning of the name is typically interpreted as one who excels in fame or renown. It is seen as a positive name that carries with it an honorable connotation. In some cases, it could have been used to describe someone who had achieved some kind of great accomplishment.
In modern times, the surname Rother may be used as part of a compound surname or it may be represented in the form of Roth, Rowe, or Rothert. It is quite a versatile name, with its usage even extending to England, Denmark, and The Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisRother: Where does the name Rother come from?
Today, the last name Rother is most commonly found in Germany. It is an old German last name that dates back to the Middle Ages. Estimates suggest that there are over 11,000 people in Germany who currently bear the surname. It is also found in parts of Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Apart from Europe, the last name Rother is found in some pockets around the world. Small populations are found in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. In the United States, it is mostly found in the Midwest, along with Texas, California, New Jersey and New York.
Rother is a surname that is common among the country’s English-speaking population, according to Ancestry.com. The first known Rother in the United States arrived in the late 1700s. The Rothers had migrated to America from Germany and Austria.
In Canada, the name Rother appears to be concentrated in four Canadian provinces. These include British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
The last name is likely to have derived from the German word "der Rothaarige", meaning "the red-haired one." It may also refer to someone who came from the small town of Rode, in the Harz district of Germany.
Overall, the surname Rother is most common in Germany, but it is also found in other parts of Europe and around the world.
Variations of the surname Rother
The surname Rother has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Rothaar, Rothe, Rotheman, Rothman, Rothmann, Rothemeier, Rothenberg, Rothenberger, Rothenbuecher, Roether, and Roethke.
Rothaar is a German variant of Rother, and refers to someone from a settlement near a red beach, or from a place in Germany called Rothaar.
Rothe is also a German variant. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Roto, meaning "famous" or "renowned."
Rotheman is an occupational variation of Rother, since "man" in German refers to someone who is a skilled worker in certain trades.
Rothman is a variation of Rotheman, basically taking one of the syllables off.
Rothmann is also derived from Rotheman, with the added "n" at the end.
Rothemeier is a combined form of Rothe and the German word meier, meaning "farmer," suggesting someone who worked as a farmer or was related to one somehow.
Rothenberg is an Ashkenazi Jewish variation of the surname. It refers to someone from the town of Rothenberg, located in Germany.
Rothenberger is another variation of Rothenberg, with the added "er" at the end.
Rothenbuecher is a combined form of Rothenberg and the German word buecher, which means "shopkeeper," and was most likely adopted by someone related to one.
Roether is also a variation of Rother. It might have originated from the name of the small river Roet of East Westphalia, Germany.
Roethke is an alternate spelling of Roether. It is derived from the German word roet, which means "red," referring to someone who was from a settlement near a red beach.
Famous people with the name Rother
- Antonio Rother, German composer, producer and DJ.
- Johannes Rother, Austria-born American Brigadier General
- Carl Rother, German businessman
- Ernest Rother, 19th-century German sculptor
- Birgit Rother, German opera singer
- Kathryn Rother, American politician
- Ray Rother, American football player
- Monika Rother, German water polo player
- Friedrich Rother, German poet
- Mikhail Rother, German Russian painter
- Bernhard Rother, German classical scholar
- Theodor Rother, German-born entrepreneur and explorer
- Christophe Rother, German neurologist
- Wolfgang Rother, German politician
- Christian Rother, German competitive swimmer
- Sebastien Rother, French actor
- Stephan Rother, German composer, music producer, filmmaker and video artist
- Johann Rother, German graphic artist
- Johannes Rother, German publisher
- Christoph Rother, Austrian classical scholar and historian