Surname Röhlig - Meaning and Origin
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Röhlig: What does the surname Röhlig mean?
The last name Röhlig is a German surname derived from the Von Röhlig personal name, which itself is derived from the Middle High German word roh, meaning "rough". This likely referred to a person of a rather rough appearance or attitude. The earliest documented record of the Röhlig surname dates all the way back to 1202, when a certain Johannes de Ruhle was recorded as a witness in Zulpich, Germany.
The Röhlig surname is speculated to have originated in the north of Germany and spread to other parts of the country over time. The name is especially common throughout the German states of Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt. It is possible that people bearing the Röhlig name could have come from these areas at some point in history, though this is uncertain.
Today, people bearing the Röhlig surname are largely concentrated in Germany, though there is also a sizable population with that name in the U.S. and other parts of the world. They are likely descendants of German migrants who left the country in search of greater opportunities.
In modern times, the Röhlig surname carries with it a strong sense of German heritage. People who bear the name often take pride in its history and its roots in Middle High German culture.
Order DNA origin analysisRöhlig: Where does the name Röhlig come from?
The last name Röhlig is most commonly found in Germany, where it is one of the most common surnames. It is also fairly widespread in other European countries, with large numbers of Röhligs living in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The largest population of Röhligs, however, is located in the United States. In the U.S., Röhligs are concentrated in the Midwest, northeast, and along the east coast.
The origins of the name Röhlig are lost to history, but it is known that it originated in Germany sometime in the 18th century. In German, Röhlig literally translates as “wick,” and is likely derived from a trade or occupation of some kind. One possible explanation is that the name refers to a lead wick-maker in the candle-making industry.
The most notable bearer of the Röhlig surname was Reinhold Röhlig, an accomplished businessman and entrepreneur in 19th century Germany. Today, Röhligs can be found in many professions and walks of life. It is especially popular among bakers, engineers, and politicians.
The variations of the surname Röhlig are also quite varied. Common spellings include Rohlig, Rölig, Rehlig, and Rohling. They are all interchangeable and have the same origin.
Variations of the surname Röhlig
Röhlig is a German surname, often spelled Rohlig and Rohligh. It could be derived from a habitational name, borne by those who came from a house named with the German element "rohl" (clay, clayey soil). It further appears to have alternate spellings, such as Röhl, Roelig, Röelig, and Roeligh. All of these alternatives come from the same root and have the same origin.
Röhlig could also be derived from a nickname, the German word “roh” means raw or uncook, uncooked, underdone or incomplete, which could have described someone who seemed rough or uncivilised. The word is still used in modern German in the sense of aching, raw or sensitive.
The variants of Röhlig include the cutesy diminutives “Röhlinger” and “Röhling”.
There are also a few other variants in the surnames such as Rohl, Roelig, Roeligh and Röelig, which originate from Röhlig.
The surnames Röhling, Röhl, Rohling and Rohl are also related in some way, as they all derive from the root “Röh” or “Röhl”, which means clay, clayey soil in German. There is also a possibility of the 'ling' ending being derived from the German word ‘ling’ (‘child’). This would have been used when referring to the son of the original bearer of the name, similar to the Irish surname O’Connell, meaning “grandson of Conall”.
Regardless of their origin, all of the variants of Röhlig have the same meaning and denote the same family origins.
Famous people with the name Röhlig
- Heiner Röhlig: German long-distance runner who won the 1985 Berlin Marathon.
- Marc Röhlig: German contemporary dance choreographer and dancer.
- Eberhard Röhlig: German classical chef and restaurateur.
- Broder Röhlig: German actor and filmmaker.
- Jörg Röhlig: German oil painter known for his joyous and optimistic abstract images.
- Jan Röhlig: German sports broadcaster and former professional football player.
- Karin Röhlig: German curler and three-time Olympic medalist.
- Yvonne Röhlig: German voice actress known for her work in the animated series, “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”.
- Sascha Röhlig: German actor and singer known for various television and stage roles.
- Cora Röhlig: German violinist and singer best known for her renditions of traditional Lieder.