Surname Rulfs - Meaning and Origin
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Rulfs: What does the surname Rulfs mean?
The last name Rulfs is of German and Dutch origin. The name may have originated as a topographic name, derived from the Old German word hruolen, which means a ridge or crest of a mountain. Alternatively, the name may have been derived from Rolf, an old German name which means "fame-wolf."
Rulfs is considered to be a patronymic surname, which means it was taken from the given name of the father of the original bearer. The surname became “fixed” when it was used consistently by different members of the same family over several generations.
The coat of arms of the family of Rulfs is said to feature a brown bear, which may be a reference to the word fame-wolf. The crest of the family is represented by a low-peaked wall with three battlements above, which may suggest a sense of protection over the family.
The Rulfs family has a long history of being associated with numerous industries and professions throughout Europe. The family is most commonly found in Lower Saxony and Oldenburg, Germany, where they had extensive landholdings before World War II. It is also found primarily in the Dutch provinces of Zeeland, West Frisia, and Friesland, where the family can trace its roots to the early 1500s.
Today, the Rulfs family remains widely dispersed throughout Europe and the United States. Its members are involved in a variety of occupations, ranging from business entrepreneurs, legal and medical professionals, educators, and public servants to religious and military leaders.
Order DNA origin analysisRulfs: Where does the name Rulfs come from?
The last name Rulfs is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. In Germany, it can be found in areas like Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony. In the Netherlands, it is located mainly in the province of North Holland.
The last name, Rulfs, is believed to have originated from Germany. In the medieval times, Rulfs was a descriptive name for a person who held their own land, known as “Rulfsland”, and was used to differentiate a property holder from other landowners.
The last name Rulfs is derived from the German word “Ruf”, which means “proud”, “strong”, or “firm”. There are variations of the spelling such as Rulf, Ruf, and Rabel.
The Rulfs surname is also found in some parts of Scandinavia and in the United Kingdom. In Scandinavia, it is particularly common in Finland and Sweden, where the last name Rulfs can be seen in cities like Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, and Gothenburg. In the United Kingdom, it is most commonly found in Wales.
The last name Rulfs is not overly common today, but it can still be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Rulfs
The surname Rulfs has a variety of spelling variations and related surnames. Depending on the exact origin of the surname, there can be multiple variants and spellings. Common variants and spellings of Rulfs include Rauf, Raufe, Ralfe, Rauffe, Rolf, Raiff, Rawliff, Rowliffe, Rouff, Rolfe, Roulffe, Rauffe, Ruffe, Rulff, Ralf, and Rulof.
Ralfs is an alternate spelling, derived from the German personal name Ralph (or its variants), derived from the Old Norse name Hrálfr which means “wolf-counsel”. The patronymic surname Rulfs may have been derived from a nickname, as it implied one who was a brave and wise leader.
Rolfs is a spelling variation which comes from the Old Norse name Hrólfr meaning “famed wolf”. It was also used in the Middle Ages as a diminutive of the personal name Rodulf, meaning “famous wolf”. The Scandinavian variant Rullf is derived from the Germanic name Rodulf.
Rouff and Ruffe come from Old French and mean “red”. This is a name for one with a reddish-brown complexion or red hair, or possibly originated as a nickname for a fearless fighter known for his red clothing or bravery in battle.
Finally, Rulof is an alternate spelling of Rolf, derived from an Old Norse personal name meaning “lord of the wolves”. This was used as a first name in the Middle Ages, and could also be a patronymic surname.
The variants and spellings of Rulfs all have similar meanings or origins and are believed to have derived from either Old German, Old Norse, or Old French names. Each variant of the surname was likely inspired by the bravery and courage of the wolf.
Famous people with the name Rulfs
- Joachim Rulfs: German actor and voice actor
- Jennifer Rulfs: American actress appearing in soap operas
- Alexander Rulfs: German film and television actor
- David Rulfs: American soccer player and coach
- Andreas Rulfs: Finnish singer-songwriter and musician
- Michael Rulfs: German composer and music producer
- Gary Rulfs: American basketball player
- Chris Rulfs: Australian former rugby league player
- Steve Rulfs: American former professional basketball player
- Sven Rulfs: German singer-songwriter and poet