Surname Adolffs - Meaning and Origin
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Adolffs: What does the surname Adolffs mean?
The last name Adolffs is of German origin, typically originating from the Low German region. This surname was likely derived from the given name "Adolf" from the Germanic language, meaning a brave person or noble wolf. The root "Adal" in the German language means "nobility". The combination of these two originates from the meaning, "noble-wolf."
This surname was likely adopted by a family as either a given or patronymic. This means the surname was adopted as either the primary surname of the family, or as a secondary name for those with a father who was named "Adolf". The significance of the surname likely changed over time as it moved through different generations, and possibly locations.
The current spelling of the surname "Adolffs" is a result of a phonetic influence from languages such as Dutch, Afrikaans, and Frisian. The variants of this surname could include "Adolf", "Adolff", and even "Aalef".
Adolfs can be found all over the world, most notably in Germany, the Netherlands, and countries of Germanic origin such as the United States and Canada. The presence of this surname today is a testament to how important the meaning of a name is to the identity of a family and culture. It can show how families have bonded and grown together, and the importance of family heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisAdolffs: Where does the name Adolffs come from?
The surname Adolffs is of German origin, although it is found across the world. The name can initially be found as "Adolph" in Old German records. It is seen as a variation of the German name "Adolph," which is derived from the Old Germanic name "Adalwolf" meaning "nobly brave." In the United States, statistics report that the last name Adolffs is most commonly found in California, with the highest concentration in the Central Valley. Other states seeing a prevalence of this name include Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
In Europe, Germany is the spot where the surname Adolffs is the most prevalent. It is also seen in the Netherlands and in parts of France and Italy. This surname has connections to certain royalty, as Adolf, the German prince, is a representation of the last name Adolffs. It can also be seen in many other German more common surnames, such as Adolfson, Adolfson-Platz, and Adolfsen.
Due to European migrations during the late 19th and early 20th century, the surname Adolffs can now be found in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. These countries offer a wide range of locations to find the last name Adolffs, from urban-populated cities to small, rural towns.
Overall, the last name Adolffs has spanned the globe, leaving its mark in dozens of countries. It is an interesting look into the history of European emigration, as this surname remains an important part of many family lineages.
Variations of the surname Adolffs
The surnames Adolffs, Adolphs, Adolps, Adolfs and Adolph are all spellings of the same surname. It is of German heritage and may be derived from the Old German personal name Adalwolf, which contains the elements adal, meaning ‘noble’, and wolf, meaning ‘wolf’. The surname Adolffs belongs to the class of surnames known as patronymic or patriarchal surnames, which were derived from the name of the father or ancestor of the bearer.
Variants of this surname include Adolph, Adolpho, Adolfos, Adolphs, and Adolps. Alternate spellings include Adolff, Adelf, Adelff, Adelph, Adelpho, and Adaph. Surnames derived from the same root include Adolphsz, Adolphsen, Adolpha, Adolfs, and Adolfsen.
The surname was first recorded in Germany in 1220 with the entry of Jörg Wilhelm Adelpho, in the charters of the Cologne Cathedral. A Johannes Adloff was recorded in the charters of Joachimsthal in 1355. The family was active in various areas of trade and the arts, such as merchants, brewers, cooks, bakers and actors.
The surname Adolffs is common in Germany and is also present in North America, England, France, and other European countries. The earliest recorded immigrant to America with the surname Adolffs was Conrad Adolph, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1764. The surname continues to be present in many different countries today.
Famous people with the name Adolffs
- Mary Adolffs: Mary Adolffs is an American lawyer and philanthropist, who has worked extensively in the fields of civil rights and human rights. She is the former president of the International Women’s Rights Day Foundation, a post she held from 1988 to 2005.
- Charles Adolffs: Charles Adolffs is a British entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and managing director of Sovereign Capital, a private equity firm that has invested in numerous British and foreign companies over the years.
- John Adolffs: John Adolffs is an American politician who served as U.S. Representative from Georgia's 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2019.
- Frederick Adolffs: Frederick Adolffs is an Austrian composer, conductor, and scholar. He is best known for his five symphonies, which are considered to be among the finest symphonies of the Romantic period.
- Joann Adolffs: Joann Adolffs is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who has founded dozens of non-profit organizations dedicated to the arts, education, and environmental conservation.
- Peter Adolffs: Peter Adolffs is a British businessman and philanthropist who served as the chairman and CEO of the Co-operative Group from 2001 to 2010.
- Ambros Adolffs: Ambros Adolffs is a German musician and composer. He is best known for his work with the symphonic metal band Blind Guardian and his solo project “The Intelligence Behind Everything”.
- Magda Adolffs: Magda Adolffs is an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer. She has directed a number of well-loved films such as The White Ribbon and The Piano Teacher.
- Egon Adolffs: Egon Adolffs is a German actor, screenwriter, and director best known for his work in German television and films. He has acted in over 80 films and TV series.