Origin of the surname Rohloff

Recorded in over fifty different spellings including as examples Rolf, Roffe, Ruff and Ruffell in England, Rudolf and Rotlauf in Germany, Rohlf in Switzerland, Ridulfo and Firidolfi in Italy, and Roelof in the Netherlands, this is a surname of pre 7th century Nordic-Viking origins. It derives ultimately from the personal name 'Hrodwulf', itself from the period in history known as The Dark Ages, when names were largely pagan in ancestry, and tended to extoll the undoubted virtues of godliness, strength and purpose.

This particular name was composed of the elements "hrod", meaning "renown" and "wulf", literally the wolf, and originally may have referred to a particular warrior or chieftain. In the Norse language the contracted form was "Hrolfr", and in Danish and Swedish "Rolf", and it was in these forms that they reached Northern Europe in the 8th century. It is not absolutely certain as to the first recording date of the hereditary surname, but it was amongst the earliest of all surnames. Examples taken from authentic rolls and charters of the medieval period include: Johan Rodolfi of Hamburg, Germany, in 1252, Robert Rolf, of Battle, in the county of Sussex, England, in 1272, Jakob Rufi, given as being a priest in Zurich, Switzerland, in the year 1300, and Johan Rudolf of Andelshoven, Germany, in 1332. In the church registers of London, England, the marriage of John Roffe and Elizabeth Blythe was recorded at St. Stephan's, Coleman Street, on November 3rd 1560. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Rohloff. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of rohloff is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname rohloff, and in addition to the original locations of rohloff, we can find out where people with the surname rohloff can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of rohloff.

The surname Rohloff around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname rohloff. The mobility of people carrying the surname rohloff has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Rohloff

The historical chronicle of rohloff is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname rohloff are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname rohloff.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname rohloff, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname rohloff or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of rohloff.

Notable Figures Named Rohloff

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished rohloffs throughout human history. A surname like rohloff can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname rohloff, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Rohloff and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of rohloff. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname rohloff, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of rohloff.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of rohloff, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Rohloff