Surname Rolfers - Meaning and Origin

Rolfers: What does the surname Rolfers mean?

The last name Rolfers is of German origin and is derived from the name "Hrolf" or "Rolf", which are both old Germanic words. The name means "famous warrior" or "renowned wolf".

In old Germanic mythology, Hrolf (King Rolf) was a 5th century prince who fought off Viking invasions and ultimately achieved victory after a series of battles and negotiations. Other legendary feats of strength and courage associated with the name include splitting an anvil in two and killing a giant bear.

The surname is commonly found in parts of Central Europe and was particularly popular in the southern regions of Germany and Bavaria. In Holland, it can be found under various spellings such as Roolf, Rolff, Roffers and Roloffers.

Throughout history, the name has been bestowed on a number of people with impressive achievements, such as the Prussian statesmen and generals Joachim and his son Leopold von Roloff. It's also been adopted by an array of noble houses, including the House of Rolfers-von Grafenwitz.

Today, the surname continues to be associated with strength, courage and heroic deeds. It is a reminder that while the legacy of its original bearer has been largely forgotten, its influence lives on through its many modern-day descendants.

Rolfers: Where does the name Rolfers come from?

The last name Rolfers is most commonly found in Northern Germany, specifically in the Schleswig-Holstein region. The surname also has roots in Germany's neighboring country, Denmark. In Denmark, it is spelled Rølfers, but otherwise the meaning of the name remains the same. The name Rolfers is thought to have evolved from the German name Roland. This is believed to have originally been a given name derived from the Old High German element “hrod”, meaning “renown” and “land”, meaning “land”. The first recorded occurrence of the name was in Welmendorf, Schleswig-Holstein in 1314, where a man named Bruno Rolfers was listed as a witness in a legal document.

Today, people who carry the last name Rolfers are found in many parts of the world. Besides Northern Germany, descendants of the original family are now found in many other countries around the world, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the USA, the surname Rolfers is especially common in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

The name Rolfers can be found across many different professions and industries. Famous individuals who hold the surname include athlete Mark Rolfers, bluestock performer Reginald Rolfers, and physicist Heinrich H. Rolfers.

Variations of the surname Rolfers

The surname Rolfers is derived from the German surname Rolff, which likely originated as a nickname for someone with red hair or someone who had a fox-like personality. The surname can come in a variety of spellings and variants, including Rolf, Rolfe, Rothfus, Rolph, Rolfes, and Rolphs. The feminine version of the name is spelled Rolffes.

Roehl and Roelofs are popular surnames in Germany and the Netherlands, and derive from the same root as Rolfers; they also have a variety of spellings. In Germany, Roehl can be spelled Röhl, Röhle, Rehl, Röhl, and Rohl. In the Netherlands, Roelofs has spellings such as Roelofsen, Roelands, and Roolandsen.

In Scotland and England, Rolph is an ancient variant of the surname Rolfers. Rolphs is another version of this surname and is found in Scotland. It is also common in England and can be spelled both Rolfs and Rolphs.

In the United States, Rolfers is an uncommon surname. The most common American variant of the name is Rolfe, and it is often spelled Rolf and Rolphe.

Rolffs is another variant of the surname that is found in the United States, especially in the South. The spellings Rolphs, Rolfs, Rolff, Rolfes, and Rolfsen are also somewhat common in the United States.

Famous people with the name Rolfers

• Counsellor Thorwald Rolfers: Thorwald Rolfers is a counsellor and psychotherapist in Germany. He is well known for his training programs and seminars on a wide variety of topics, from relationship advice and consciousness to integrated therapy.
• Koji Rolfers: Koji Rolfers is a Japanese musician and producer. His career spans two decades and his work has appeared in films, video games, commercials, and television series.
• Heinz Rolfers: Heinz Rolfers is a German slamming poet known for his expressive, passionate performances. His work often explores aspects of identity and politics and he has also been recognised for his activism on behalf of immigrants and refugees.
• Andreas Rolfers: Andreas Rolfers is a Swiss badminton player. He is the first Swiss player to win an international badminton tournament and compete at the Olympics.
• Li Meng Rolfers: Li Meng Rolfers is a German mathematician and professor at the University of Würzburg. She is known for her research on eccentric and hyperbolic triangle groups, and her work has been recognized with numerous awards.
• Bart Rolfers: Bart Rolfers is an actor from the Netherlands. He is best known for his performances in Dutch television series and films.
• Anders Rolfers: Anders Rolfers is a Danish football player. A midfielder, he began his career at FC Copenhagen in 2002 and he has since represented a number of clubs in the Danish League.
• Nina Rolfers: Nina Rolfers is a Dutch painter and sculptor. She is known for her abstract works which incorporate both traditional and unconventional materials.
• Stephanie Rolfers: Stephanie Rolfers is a Swiss model and fashion designer. She has appeared in campaigns for countless international brands and her clothing collections have been featured in magazines and runways around the world.

Other surnames

RolfeRölferRolfes