Surname Ruoff - Meaning and Origin

Ruoff: What does the surname Ruoff mean?

The last name Ruoff is of German and Ashkenazic Jewish origin and is derived from the German noun “Ruf” which means “cry” or “voice”. The surname was most likely created as an occupational name initially used to describe someone who worked as a herald, messenger, itinerant preacher or town crier.

Since heralds were also associated with the religion, the name could also have been adopted by Jewish families during this era. This occupational name evolved into the last name when families began to permanently adopt a fixed surname to identify themselves among their peers. It later spread to other European nations such as England and France.

The Ruoff surname is common in Germany today, especially in the states of Southern Germany (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse). In the United States, the Ruoff surname is most common in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa where many German immigrants arrived to in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Overall, the surname Ruoff is an interesting and unique last name which originated from a variety of sources including occupational, religious and immigrant-based origins. Its meaning has evolved over the centuries and today, it’s a representation of one’s German heritage.

Ruoff: Where does the name Ruoff come from?

The last name Ruoff is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a common surname among the German Jewish population. The name is derived from the German word rauf, meaning "red".

Within Germany, the Ruoff surname is most commonly found in the states of Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and in the Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found in small numbers in other German-speaking countries, mainly in Austria and Switzerland.

Research suggests that the origin of the Ruoff name developed from the patronymic form of the given name Rufus or Rhufus, which in turn was derived from the Latin Rupert. It was also a common occupational name for someone who was in charge of bringing food to the feudal lord's court.

Ruoff is also a fairly common surname in the United States. It is found in small numbers in New York, California, and Illinois. In the 2020 census, the last name was the 5,664th most common name in the nation.

The Ruoff surname can also be found in some other countries, including Canada, Russia, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Spain, and Poland.

In conclusion, the Ruoff last name is common mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and can also be found in small numbers in the United States and other countries.

Variations of the surname Ruoff

The surname Ruoff is an anglicized form of the German surname Ruf, which is derived from a short form of a Germanic personal name such as Rudolf or Rutholf. Other variants include Ruff, Ruffe, Ruffel, Rouff, Roff, Roof, and Rohf. These variations in spelling can be attributed to simple mistakes made on documents with regards to how the surname was recorded in official documents such as church records or birth certificates. Additionally, there can be varying spellings of certain surnames found in different countries.

In America, the most common form of Ruoff is probably the spelling “Ruf.” This is the same spelling used in Germany by people belonging to the Ruf family. It is also found among people with Jewish, Dutch and Swiss ancestry, who later settled in the United States. The spelling “Roff” is also common among American families of German ancestry.

In the United Kingdom, many spellings of Ruoff can be found, including Ruff, Ruffel, Rouff, Roff, Roof, and Rohf. In Scotland, some families spell their surname as Rut, while some with Welsh ancestry use Ruu.

Some of the more common alternative surnames or variations that are derived from the same origin as Ruoff, include Ruffa, Rufer, Rausch, Roffmann, Rotz, Ruppel, Ropp and Ruopp.

Overall, Ruoff is one of the many variations of the same surname, and the spelling often changes depending on the country and culture that the family is from.

Famous people with the name Ruoff

• Caroline Ruoff: American abstract painter known for her kaleidoscopic and vibrant geometric images.
• Hermann Ruoff: German chemist and author of several books including "The Chemistry of Fireworks" and "Organic Chemistry in Colour".
• Nikolaus Ruoff: Swiss journalist, author, and theatre director.
• Rafael Ruoff: New York-based painter who works in abstract expressionism, color field and lyrical abstraction.
• Robert Ruoff: American sculptor and ceramic artist whose work has been featured in collections around the world.
• Uwe Ruoff: German entrepreneur and investor in the digital media space. He is the founder of the online TV channel Watchever and the startup incubator Crealogix.
• Yvonne Ruoff: German soccer player and former goalkeeper for the Germany Women's National Football Team.
• Martha Ruoff: American landscape and figure painter whose works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and shows across the country.
• Bruce Ruoff: American jazz and electric bassist whose career spans over four decades.
• Christopher Ruoff: American psychiatrist known for his research on antipsychotic medications. He has published multiple textbooks and served as president of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Other surnames

Ruof