Surname Rothfischer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rothfischer: What does the surname Rothfischer mean?
Rothfischer is a German surname that likely originated in the area that is now Germany's northern Rhineland-Palatinate. It is composed of two elements, "roth" and "fischer," which together are thought to mean "red fisherman." This likely means that the earliest members of the Rothfischer family were fishermen who went out on the river to catch fish with nets, a trade that dates back centuries.
The use of "roth" (aka "Red") in the surname is now thought to refer to either the hair color of the early bearers of the family name, or their general complexion or skin tone. The use of “fischer” (“Fisher” in German) is quite easy to understand, referring to the original occupation of the earliest Rothfischer family members as professional fishermen.
Today, the surname Rothfischer can be found throughout Germany and in other countries where people of German descent have resettled, such as the United States, Canada, and other European countries. It remains a common and fairly recognizable German surname.
Order DNA origin analysisRothfischer: Where does the name Rothfischer come from?
The last name Rothfischer is most generally associated with Germany and Central Europe, although its variant spellings such as Rothfuss, Roethfuss, and Rothfus are also found. Although families bearing the surname can be found elsewhere, the majority of those who bear the name likely descend from Germanic roots.
The name is most commonly found in the areas around Germany and particularly within Bavaria, the historical homeland of the majority of German-speaking people. It is also seen across East-Central Europe, with some versions of the name appearing in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Ukraine.
In the United States, people bearing the name Rothfischer are found in many states across the country, although the highest concentrations of the surname are seen in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey. The Rothfischer name has also spread overseas, with some families migrating to Canada, Australia, Brazil, and other countries.
The name Rothfischer is derived from the old German surname, consisting of the two elements Roth, meaning “red” and Fisch, meaning “fish.” This appellation most likely denoted an ancient fishing profession in the region, likely referring to a fisherman who was known for his red hair or his reddish complexion.
Overall, the Rothfischer surname remains quite common from where it began, and today is found in many countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Rothfischer
Rothfischer is a German surname that originated from the Middle High German word ‘rothfisch’, which means ‘red fish’. This ancient name may have initially been a job-descriptive name referring to a fisher of red-colored fish, although it is unclear which fish it referred to.
The spelling variations of the surname Rothfischer include Rotfuss, Radfuss, Rothfuss, Rothenfuss, Raeufuss, Raufuss, Rau, Rad, Roth, Rothen, Faul, Finke, and Fuhrmann.
Among other related surnames of the same origin are Fischer, Fischel, Fishbach, Fischbach, Finkel, Fish, Fishel, Fishelman, and Fischl. These surnames have derived from the Middle High German word ‘visc’, which means ‘fish’. It is likely that these surnames came to have meanings associated with fishing, fishmongering, or working around fish ponds and fisheries.
Other related surnames with a similar origin are Fischbacher, Fischbacher, Fischmann, and Fischner. These surnames are derived from the occupation of ‘Fischbacher’, which was a type of small-scale fisherman who does not own a boat but catches fish with a fishing rod, usually done in small rivers or ponds.
Finally, the Polish surnames Drzewiecki and Drzewicki also have a root in the ‘red fish’. This Polish surname is derived from a word that means ‘tree’, and is likely to have been given to describe a family that lived near a body of water, most probably near a forest.
Famous people with the name Rothfischer
- Jordan Rothfischer: A television writer and producer known for his work on shows like "Gotham" and "Person of Interest".
- Dr Sandy Rothfischer: a board-certified gastroenterologist from Danbury, Connecticut.
- Monique Rothfischer: Hollywood actor, appearing in such films as "Heavenly Creatures" and "Sergeant Willgard".
- Jack Rothfischer: a Vietnam War veteran, who went on to become an actor in films such as "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan".
- Paul Rothfischer: a Swiss businessman, currently CEO of the Lindt & Sprüngli confectionary company.
- Ava Rothfischer: a widely-acclaimed jazz musician, based in New York City.
- Bobbi Rothfischer: Latin Grammy winning singer-songwriter, currently on tour across North America.
- Wilhelm Rothfischer: a German car designer, credited with innovations such as the seatbelt and antilock brakes.
- Debbie Rothfischer: a Toronto-based philanthropist, who has invested heavily in the Canadian Arts community.
- Marko Rothfischer: a celebrated sculptor, whose works include the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.