Surname Roffe - Meaning and Origin

Roffe: What does the surname Roffe mean?

The surname Roffe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be derived from the Old English pre 7th Century name "Hrothwulf". This personal name is a combination of the elements "hroth", meaning fame, and "wulf", meaning wolf. Therefore, the surname could possibly be interpreted as "fame-wolf". Names involving ‘wulf’ were especially popular in England during the mentioned era, perhaps due to the symbolism they carried; the wolf was often seen as a symbol of a warrior.

It is also possible that Roffe could be a topographic name for someone who lived by a rofe, or a derivative of the Middle English, Old French "ruf", rough, steep.

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. Notable bearers of the surname Roffe include the American alpine ski racer Diann Roffe.

So, Roffe carries a possible meaning relating to warrior-like qualities or characteristics of a geographical location, depending on its etymological context.

Roffe: Where does the name Roffe come from?

The last name Roffe can be found predominantly in certain parts of the world today. The largest concentrations of the Roffe name in current times are in the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States. In the United Kingdom, Roffe is believed to have originated in Yorkshire and the surrounding counties of Durham and Northumberland, although its current presence is throughout England and Wales. In Israel, the Roffe surname is believed to have been adopted by families that immigrated to the country from Eastern Europe. This is supported by the fact that some branches of the family in Israel have adopted the Hebrew spelling of Roffe, and also by its presence in European Jewish communities before and after World War II.

The United States is also home to a large concentration of Roffe families, again largely due to immigration from Europe. Beginning with those who arrived in the late 19th century, many Roffe families are now descended from a combination of Welsh, English, Irish, and other European heritage. Today, Roffe families are found throughout the US, but the largest concentrations remain in the northeastern states, reflecting the earliest immigration to the US from Europe.

Variations of the surname Roffe

The surname Roffe is an English locational surname. It derives from the Old English pre-7th century word "rof" meaning rough or hilly ground. During the medieval era, when people moved around for work, they took their surnames with them. As such, the Roffe surname has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Variant spellings include Roff, Roffes, Roffey, Ruff, Ruffe, Ruffs, Routh, Routhe, Rowe, Rowf, Rowff, Rowffe, Rof, Rofe and Rotte.

Variant surnames of the same origin include Rough (Old English), Routh (Middle English), Rouff, Ruffey (Old French), CampoRoffe, Roqus, Roque, de Rouffignac, de Rouffinac and Roufignac (French), Ruf, Rufe, Rufi, Rufo (German), Ruffo and Ruffini (Italian), and Rouff, Roffet, Roffetto, Roffilo, Roffo, and Rufini (Spanish).

In some cases, Roffe is a modernized version of older smiled surnames, such as Ruffa, Ruffo and Ruffu in Sicily.

The spelling of surnames generally changed over time to coincide with the way the words sounded when spoken. As such, people bearing the surname Roffe may also be found under different spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Roffe

• Monty Roffe: famous English painter who has exhibited throughout the UK and globally to a range of national and international galleries.
• Tom Roffe: former English professional footballer. He played for various Football League clubs in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Gordon Roffe: former English professional footballer. He made almost 400 Football League appearances in an 18-year career.
• Evan Roffe: Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer, most known for his work within the jazz fusion genre.
• Dan Roffe: prominent American film director, whose work has included numerous music videos, television commercials, and films.
• Henry Roffe: former British actor, best known for his roles in the musicals of the 1980s.
• Elizabeth Roffe: American-born theatre and opera director who has worked extensively in the United States and in Europe.
• Charlotte Roffe: American operatic and concert soprano, particularly active in the late 19th century.
• Susan Roffe: British-American psychologist, currently residing in the United States.
• Mark Roffe: British educationalist and academic administrator. He is best known for his influential work on curriculum development.

Other surnames

Roff