Surname Roelfsen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Roelfsen: What does the surname Roelfsen mean?
The last name Roelfsen is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Old German forename Rodolf. It is derived from 'rudol', meaning 'fame' and 'frid', meaning 'peace'.The name can be found in several forms varying from Roelofsen to Rolfsen. The name can also be spelled as Roels, Rolfs, Rolf or Roel.
The surname is found in different countries and cultures with some variations in spelling and meaning. For example, in Norway, Roelfsen is spelled Roels, Rolfs, Rolf or Roel. In Denmark, it is pronounced “Roells”. In Sweden, the name is spelled Raells and sometimes the “ra” is replaced by a “ro” as in Roells.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, the name has the longest continuous history starting in the 1600s. This occurred due to emigration from those countries to The United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. .
Most Roelfsens are descendants of Dutch landowning families that adopted the name from which came the nickname "Roelf" which means “wolf”. It was and still is given as a first or middle name to a person with light or grey coloured eyes and a particular type of clothing.
Today, members of the family live throughout Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond. Those with the last name Roelfsen have a colorful past and as a result there are many stories associated with them. In a society that is constantly changing, the name Roelfsen symbolizes the strength and continuity of a family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisRoelfsen: Where does the name Roelfsen come from?
The Roelfsen surname is still largely found in the Netherlands, where it was first recorded as a surname in this region in the 13th century. It is also found in Germany, and to a lesser extent, the United States and Scandinavia.
In the Netherlands, the name is most common in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. This region bordered the North Sea and is known for its flat terrain and dikes used to protect the land from flooding. This region continued to profit from the fishing industry since the 13th century and some believe it had an impact on the surname.
The Danish spelling of the name is Rølfsen, and is found in the Netherlands as well as other countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden due to the migration and occupation that commenced in the 19th century.
In the United States, Roelfsen is largely found in the North Eastern states, and especially near the Great Lakes. Minnesota and Wisconsin have the most records of individuals with the last name Roelfsen. This is likely due to a wave of Dutch immigrants settling in the Midwest in the 19th century, with some of them bearing the name Roelfsen.
It's difficult to determine the exact origin of the name Roelfsen as it was likely adapted from a first name that could be of Germanic, Dutch, Danish, or even Scandinavian origin. Nevertheless, it is likely that the name arose in the Netherlands and is still most prominent in this area.
Variations of the surname Roelfsen
Roelfsen is a Dutch surname and can originate from many different places depending on the family story. It can also have many variations of spelling depending on generation. Some of the most common variants include:
1. Roelofsen: This spelling was first recorded in a late medieval Dutch form, with “Roel” as the root. The spelling emerged in the 1640s and has become the most widespread spelling among modern-day Roelfsens.
2. Rolfsen: This variation is an older Dutch form that is thought to be a patronymic for a father whose name was either Roel or Rolf.
3. Rolfessen: Also an older spelling coming from Dutch.
4. Roelofs: This is a variant that emerged from Dutch dialects in the 16th century. An alternate spelling is Roeloff, and both spellings have been recorded in modern times.
5. Roelfs: This is a shortened version of the name and is often found in the Netherlands today.
6. Roelffse: This spelling was first recorded in the 15th century in Dutch documents. It is an interesting variant since the doubled-f is uncommon in Dutch surnames.
7. Rahelsen: This is an anglicized version of the name Roelfsen, also coming from the Netherlands. It is thought to be a corrupted form of the variation Roelofsen.
No matter what spelling, the most important thing to remember is to always use the spelling that the family used for themselves when researching family history. Different spellings can lead to completely different family branches but since the name has been around for centuries, it is important to remember that the origin of this surname can be traced back to many different places. With different spellings, the family story will be revealed in time and with careful research.
Famous people with the name Roelfsen
- Gert Roelfsema: Former major Dutch politician from 1977 until 1986.
- Piet Roelfsema: Emeritus professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Leiden University, The Netherlands.
- Roelf de Boer: Dutch speed skater who competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
- Roelf-Jan de Vries: Dutch long-distance runner who competed in the marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Jan Roelfs: Dutch table tennis player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Willem Roelfs: Double Olympic champion from 1908 in both the shot put and discus throw.
- Brecht Roelfsema: Belgian freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Jan Roelfsen: Former Dutch footballer who played as a right-winger from 1969 until 1981.
- Ties Roelfsema: Dutch kickboxing and Muay Thai fighter who won multiple championships titles.
- Louella Roelfsen: Dutch cyclist who competed in Team Pursuit at the 2012 Summer Olympics.