Surname Roelfsema - Meaning and Origin

Roelfsema: What does the surname Roelfsema mean?

The last name Roelfsema is a Dutch surname, derived from the personal name “Rolf” or “Rol”, which means “renowned wolf”. The name originates from Netherlands and is mainly found in the northern regions. The last name Roelfsema is a patronymic surname, which means that it is derived from the name of the father. In this case, it was the first name of the father of the person that the last name was assigned to.

In Dutch, the name is typically pronounced as Roolf (sound of a vowel and an “l”) sahm (as in Sam). The “e” between the Roolf and the sahm is silent. In some cases, it may be pronounced flowing into the “e”, as Roolfe sahm.

Today, the surname Roelfsema is associated largely with people of Dutch descent, but it has also spread to other countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. People who share the name Roelfsema have roots in Holland, where the name originated, but also trace back their ancestry to other countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, and even England.

The name Roelfsema is an ancient one, but it has never lost its popularity, and its strong associations with the Netherlands. It is a name with a deep history, a proud heritage, and an enduring legacy.

Roelfsema: Where does the name Roelfsema come from?

The last name Roelfsema is a patronymic name derived from the Dutch given name Roelf. The name is based on the Germanic name Rœl, which is made up of two elements: the first element is hrod, meaning fame and the second is wulf, meaning wolf or wild beast. The Roelfsema name is most highly concentrated in the Netherlands today, particularly in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland.

In recent decades, the popularity of the Roelfsema has risen in other parts of Europe. Flanders in Belgium, Germany, and Austria have all seen an influx of immigrants with the Roelfsema name. It is also found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Netherlands has a long history of emigration to other countries, and the Roelfsema name follows this trend with several of the family having emigrated to other countries in the 19th and 20th century. In North America, most of these immigrants are found in the larger cities such as New York City and Chicago.

In Australia, the number of people with the Roelfsema name is comparatively small, but has grown significantly in recent years. The largest concentration is in Victoria in south-eastern Australia.

The Roelfsema name is unique and instantly recognizable due to its origins, making it a great example of how surnames can provide a link to a family’s history and ancestral roots. It is no surprise that the popularity of the Roelfsema name continues to rise worldwide.

Variations of the surname Roelfsema

Roelfsema is a Dutch-origin surname primarily found in the Netherlands. The common variants found for this surname are Roelofsema, Roelofsma, Roolfsema, Roulfsema, Rouwelofsema, Rouwendal, Rouvelofsema, Rouvelefsema, Venema, and Venloven. The primary sources of these variant surnames are the Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe.

The most likely source of the spelling of Roelfsema is from theDutchwords "Roul" meaning "red" and "fsema" meaning "land" or "field". Therefore, the name could have originated when a family with red hair settled in a red-colored field, or when the family-owned or farmed a red-colored field.

The spelling of the name Roeflesema may have also derived from the Dutch "Roefel" meaning "rabble," referring to a family known to be rabble rousers.

Some variants of this surname are also derived from the Dutch place names Zuiderbeemster, Rouveen, Wolvega, and Zoutkamp. The surname Venloven may have had its root in the city of Venlo.

In some cases, Roelofsema may have been a patronymic name derived from the Germanic personal name "Rudolf." The Germanic personal name deriving from Old Saxon Rudolphus, meaning "fame-wolf."

Surnames related to Roelfsema include Roolefsen, Roelofsen, Roelofsz, Roolfs, van Roeloff, Rouf, Rouwel, and Rouwsma. No matter the variant, the Roelfsema surname is most certainly Dutch in origin.

Famous people with the name Roelfsema

• Rogier Roelfsema: Rogier Roelfsema is a Dutch retired football midfielder who is currently working as a scout for Dutch second division club MVV Maastricht.
• Jetze Roelfsema: Jetze Roelfsema is a Dutch professional football goalkeeper who plays for amateur side FVC.
• Mark Roelfsema: Mark Roelfsema is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht.
• Maaike Roelfsema: Maaike Roelfsema is a Dutch former field hockey player who played for the Dutch national team.
• Jan Roelfsema: Jan Roelfsema is a Dutch television presenter, who primarily works for BNNVARA.
• Hille Roelfsema: Hille Roelfsema is a Dutch professor and author, specializing in the philosophy of religion.
• Gerard Roelfsema: Professor Gerard Roelfsema is a Dutch psychologist who is currently professor of Cognition and Neuropsychology at the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
• Cobi Roelfsema: Cobi Roelfsema is a Dutch businesswoman who is currently the Managing Director of the global trade finance business Investec Bank in the Netherlands.
• Hendrik Roelfsema: Hendrik Roelfsema is a Dutch actor, best known for his roles in the television series Het Paard van Sinterklaas and the movie Wilde Kippen.
• Cor Roelfsema: Cor Roelfsema is a former Dutch handball player who played for Dutch national team in the 1980s.

Other surnames

Roelfsen