Surname Ruff - Meaning and Origin
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From a Ruff Sketch to a Detailed Picture: Unraveling my Genetic Heritage with iGENEA DNA Test
A personal exploration on the iGENEA DNA test journey discovering the history, heritage, and genealogy of the surname Ruff. It highlights the significant connections made with distant relatives worldwide and a newfound understanding of self-identity.
U. Ruff
read moreRuff: What does the surname Ruff mean?
The surname Ruff is of Middle English origin, derived from the term "ruf" or "rophe", which was used to describe the hair color or complexion of an individual. It typically referred to someone who had red hair or a ruddy complexion, symbolizing a strong or intense personality. The name could also be location-based, granted to individuals residing near a rough terrain. Occasionally, it might signify someone who was crude or boisterous in behavior, drawing from the term "rough". The surname was first recorded in the late 12th century England. Today, it is found in various forms including Roffe, Rolfe, Rolph, Roaf, and Ruff, among others. Like many surnames that originated in medieval times, it serves as a reminder of the ancient heritage of the British Isles.
Order DNA origin analysisRuff: Where does the name Ruff come from?
The last name Ruff is most commonly found in the United States today. It is particularly common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. It can also be found in New York, Massachusetts, and Iowa.
Ruff is a Germanic surname that was brought to the United States by both German and Irish immigrants. The German Ruff family roots trace back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "rut," meaning "brush." It was adopted as a surname by those who lived near or made use of brush on their land. The Irish Ruff name is believed to come from the Gaelic word "ruaidh," meaning "red," and is associated with the colors that ancient Irish clans wore to represent their families.
Specifically, Ruff is a surname commonly seen among the Pennsylvania Dutch population, which is primarily comprised of people of German descent. The Ruff families of this group are said to originate in Germany and to have come to the United States in the early 18th century.
Throughout the United States, Ruff is also an anglicized version of the Polish surname Róża. This surname is derived from the Polish word "roz," meaning "rose."
Overall, today, Ruff is a fairly common surname in the United States and is most commonly found in the Midwest and Northeast.
Variations of the surname Ruff
Ruff is a surname of English and German origin. Historically, it referred to a man who bred and trained hunting dogs, and was derived from the Old English word "hrufe", which literally meant "ruffed collar".
Variants of the surname include: Ruffe, Ruffle, Ruffell, Rouff, Roff, Roffe, and Ruffles.
The German spelling is Ruoff, Rouff, Ruhf, Rufff, Ruffe, Roffe, Rauf, Roefe, Ruff, Rumpf, Rumpel, Rompel, Roempel, Raup, Roep and Ropf.
Other spellings of the same origin include Rouf, Roufh, Rouph, Roufz, Roufey, Roufi, Roup, Roupf, Roupp, Roop, Roupie, Rouppie, Roupi, Roupie, Roopdhond, Roopin, Roopie, Rouft, Rouffee, Roufop, Rupf, Rupe, Rupees, Rupl, Rupert, Ruppel, Rüppell, Ruppert, Ruple, Rupley, Rupp, Ruppert, Rupple, Rupples, Ruppell, Rupple, Ruppelles, Ruppells, and Rukf.
The French spelling is Rouffe, Rouff, Rouffet, Rouffelle, Rouffy, Roffe, Roufh, Ruf, Ruche, Ruffet, Ruffe, Ruffey, Ruffi, Ruffo, Ruffon, Ruffonnet, Rufin, Rufon, Rupp, Ruppé, and Ruges.
The Polish, Czech and Hebrew form of the surname is Ruff, and the Dutch is Ruif.
There is also an Italian form of the surname called Rufe, which can sometimes have the suffix -otti, meaning "little Ruff". In Irish, Ruff is sometimes spelled Ruaidhri, which is derived from the Gaelic word "ruadh", which means "red".
Famous people with the name Ruff
- Paul Ruff: American college and professional basketball coach
- Trevor Ruff: an American former professional soccer player
- Daisy Ruff: English long-distance runner
- Patrick Ruff: American politician
- Doris Ruff: German DDR athlete
- Scalia Ruff: German professional footballer
- Colin Ruff: Former British champion boxer
- Antoni Ruff: German Olympic swimmer
- Miranda Ruff: Australian Olympic sailor
- Layla Ruff: American child actress
- Herb Ruff: American first baseman in Major League Baseball
- Merlin Ruff: American singer, songwriter, and actor
- Bea Ruff: French Olympic tennis player 14.Redditor and YouTuber, stylized as "Mista Ruff"
- Aaron Ruff: American professional football player
- Tim Ruff: German Olympic javelin thrower
- Ken Ruff: former professional Canadian Football League player
- Peter Ruff: American professional golfer
- Alexandria Ruff: American model
- Shelby Ruff: American professional golfer.