Surname Rolph - Meaning and Origin
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Rolph: What does the surname Rolph mean?
Rolph is a surname of Old Norse origin that derives from the personal name "Hrolf". This personal name is a contraction of the name "Hrodwolf", which is composed of two elements: "hrod", meaning "renown", and "wulf", meaning "wolf". Thus, the surname Rolph can essentially be interpreted to mean "famous wolf". It was a common practice during the Middle Ages in England to adopt a modified form of a father's name as a surname, and this is likely how Rolph became a surname. Additionally, this surname might also have been a locational name for someone who lived in a specific area or town named Rolph. While Rolph is not a particularly common surname today, it can be found in various parts of the world, including England and North America, due to migration and the passing down of surnames through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisRolph: Where does the name Rolph come from?
The last name Rolph is a surname that can be found across many countries in the English-speaking world mostly originating in England.
In the United Kingdom, the forbearers of the Rolph name were largely found in counties in the Midlands such as Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Today in the UK, the surname is still prevalent in some of these areas, as well as in London, who recorded over 700 Rolphs in its 2012 census.
In the United States, Rolph families initially settled in Virginia in the 17th and 18th centuries. They then spread further south, as well as into some northern states. By the early 20th century, the surname was mainly concentrated in South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama and by the 2000 US census, it was estimated that over 12,000 Americans had the last name, with many living in Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina.
Elsewhere, Rolph is much less common. A handful of families bearing the name can be found in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The International Genealogical Index records 320 BMD entries for Rolphs in Australia, the majority of which are in New South Wales and Victoria.
In summary, Rolph is a surname with British origins that is commonly found in English-speaking countries. It is most common in the UK, and it has also seen a surge in prevalence in the US in recent decades. It is much rarer in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Rolph
Rolph is a surname of multiple origins and meaning. It can trace its roots back to various countries and regions, such as England and Scotland. The name is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name "Hrolf", which is itself a shorter form of the Old Danish words "Hrodulf" or "Hrodrulf", meaning "wolf-fame".
The variants of the surname Rolph include Rolf, Rolle, Rolfe, Rolphe, Rollf, Rolphs, Rollfs, Rolphson, Roulph, Rollph, Rollickson, Roleph and Rollson. In Scotland, some variants of this name are Rollo, Rolland, Rollans, Rollansby and Rollins. In some parts of northern England, the name may have been derived from the Norse "Hrolfr", although, in other parts of the country, it may have originated from the Old English words "hrod" and "wulf".
In some regions, the last name Rolph can appear as a variant of Ralph when surnames were first established in the 11th Century. Other spellings based on Ralph include Rafe, Raff, Raffo, Raffson, Rafael, Rafel, Raffles, Raffin, Rave, Ravel, Rauff, Rauffe, Rawl and Rawling. For a time, Rolph was also used as an anglicized form of the Irish surname MacRory.
No matter the origin or spelling, the Rolph surname is centuries old and still lives on today in many different countries.
Famous people with the name Rolph
- Viggo Rolph : Viggo Rolph is a Danish actor, born in 1935. He is most known for his roles in The Danish Girl, Out of Africa, and Brick Mansions.
- Jacquie Rolph: Jacquie Rolph is a Canadian film producer who has produced a number of short films and documentaries. She has received several awards for her work.
- Tyler Rolph: Tyler Rolph is a Los Angeles-based actor, best known for his roles in the television series Veep and The Good Place.
- Casey Rolph: Casey Rolph is an American podcaster and writer, mostly known for his work on the podcast Coast to Coast AM.
- Jack Rolph: Jack Rolph is a British actor and comedian, who has made appearances in a number of popular British television shows and films.
- Danny Rolph: Danny Rolph is an American singer and songwriter. He has released four albums and gained recognition for his country music.
- Judith Rolph: Judith Rolph is an American sculptor and installation artist who has had numerous exhibitions around the United States.
- John Rolph: John Rolph was a Canadian politician. He served as a Member of Provincial Parliament in Upper Canada in the 1830s and 1840s.
- Wally Rolph: Wally Rolph is an Irish musician, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is known for his unique sound and has released several albums.
- William Rolph: William Rolph was the first Mayor of San Francisco, serving from 1856-1863.
- Emily Rolph: Emily Rolph is an English actress, best known for her roles in the soap operas Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and EastEnders.