Surname Ruhe - Meaning and Origin
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Ruhe: What does the surname Ruhe mean?
Ruhe is a German surname derived from the German word "Ruhe", which translates to "quiet" or "peace" in English. This surname is believed to have originally been a nickname for a reserved, peaceful, or calm individual. Moreover, "Ruhe" could also be topographic in origin, designating someone who lived in a particularly quiet, peaceful place. Like many European surnames, it may also have been taken upon by Jewish families during the times when all Jews were mandated to adopt a surname for identification purposes. As surnames can evolve over time and also vary based on geographic location and cultural changes, the exact origins and meanings of Ruhe may differ slightly. However, the general understanding is that it is rooted in concepts of peace and serenity.
Order DNA origin analysisRuhe: Where does the name Ruhe come from?
The last name Ruhe is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. The earliest recorded use of the name in Germany dates back to the 17th century, tracing its origin to the area of Friesland, now part of the Netherlands. The name is thought to be derived from the German word “ruh”, meaning “rest” or “peace”, indicating a possible connection to a spiritual or religious inheritance. The surname has spread through migration and is now found throughout the world.
In the United States, Ruhe occurs most commonly in the mid-west states, with a particularly strong concentration in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. There is also a notable presence in New Jersey and Maryland, as well. The number of individuals with the name reaches up into the thousands in the US. In fact, as of 2018, it ranked as the 18,084th most common surname in the country. Similar figures can be found in other countries such as the Netherlands, where it is the 2,074th most popular surname.
Throughout areas of Europe and the US, the Ruhe family name has a long and rich history. It has been passed down through generations in various forms, and is still fairly common today.
Variations of the surname Ruhe
The surname Ruhe is a Germanic surname that originated from multiple sources. The name can be found in forms such as Ruh, Ru, and Rueetc.
Some of the spellings and variants include Rue, Roe, Roes, Roos, Rhue, Roeh, Rahn, Rorde, Ruff, Rhuh, Rohn, and Rhun. It is also sometimes recorded in Dutch as Ruij, Ruijs, Ruijssenaars, Ruijten, and Ruijtenberg, or in French as de Ruhe.
Different spellings of the surname Ruhe are associated with various professions and trading activities. For instance, the spelling Ru or Ruh indicates that the person was likely a farmer, while Ruij, Ruijs, Ruijssenaars, and Ruijten suggest that the person was a cloth merchant or weaver. The spelling Roe, Roes, Roos, or Rohn could mean that the person was either a wool trader or a barber, and Rhue or Ruff indicated a blacksmith.
The surname is also associated with multiple German states and regions, such as the area of Ruhe in Thuringia, as well as places such as Ruheberg, Germany, Rheinzabern, and Ruhla.
Similar surnames exist in other cultures, such as the Chinese character 睿, which can be written as Rui, Ruo or Ruhe.
Famous people with the name Ruhe
- Maria Ruhe, pop-rock singer-songwriter from the Netherlands.
- Bernard Ruhe, Dutch composer, conductor, pianist and music lecturer.
- Wieger Ruhe, Dutch entrepreneur and award-winning restauranteur.
- William Ruhe, American photographer who was recognized in the National Archives in Washington for his artwork.
- Tom Ruhe, business executive from Texas.
- Chris Ruhe, sports journalist and broadcaster from New York.
- Edward Ruhe, former Major League baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs.
- Johanna Ruhe, German bassoonist who has performed with several symphony orchestras.
- John Ruhe, comedian and actor from the United States.
- Igor Ruhe, Russian-American entrepreneur and businessman.
- Natalie Ruhe, American actress and theater director.
- Eric Ruhe, Dutch athlete who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Philip Ruhe, former director of the North Carolina Symphony.
- Sal Ruhe, landscape architect and author from New York.
- Leon Ruhe, Dutch-American artist who has exhibited all over the world.