Surname Rothgeb - Meaning and Origin
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Rothgeb: What does the surname Rothgeb mean?
The surname Rothgeb is of German origin and is a variation of the surname Rothgabel which translates to “red fork.” This term likely refers to the forks on a hunting spear, which would historically have been painted red. The original German meaning of the surname is “a hunter with a red spear.” This likely developed into the surname over the centuries as some families began using it as a hereditary surname.
While the surname might have originally suggested a hunter, it has grown to have a variety of meanings for the many families who adapted it. For some, it may represent a history of hunting, while for others, it may represent a family's adventurous spirit and their willingness to take risks. In modern times, it may simply represent the sense of belonging that comes with having a common surname shared with other members of the family.
No matter the origin, the Rothgeb surname is unique and has a strong history of being passed down through generations. It connects many different families together, showing that even with a common surname, each family is wholly unique and special in their own way.
Order DNA origin analysisRothgeb: Where does the name Rothgeb come from?
The last name Rothgeb is most commonly found today in the United States. Descendants of the original Rothgeb family emigrated from Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries and settled in the United States. Today, Rothgeb is one of the most common surnames of German heritage in the United States, ranking 8,312 in terms of popularity for 2020.
Rothgeb is mainly concentrated in the Midwest, specifically in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. These states were among the most popular regions of settlement for European immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. The largest number of people with the Rothgeb surname in the United States can be found in Michigan, followed by Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Rothgeb is also found in significant numbers in other countries such as Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In Canada, it is mainly concentrated in the eastern provinces, such as Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. In Germany, it is mostly concentrated in Bavaria and Saxony. In Australia, Rothgeb is mainly found in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. In the United Kingdom, it is found mainly in the south-east of England, especially in Surrey.
Overall, the Rothgeb surname is still common today, mostly concentrated in the United States and countries with a strong German heritage. In the United States, it is one of the most popular surnames of German origin, ranking high in terms of both frequency and distribution.
Variations of the surname Rothgeb
The surname Rothgeb is of German origin and has several variants and spellings, as well as alternate and compound surnames. Rothgeb itself is derived from the German word "rothgeb," which means "red coat" and would have been used as a nickname for someone with red hair or red clothing.
Variants of Rothgeb include Rothgab, Rothegeb, Rothgib, Rothgep, Rodgeb, and Redgeb.
Compound forms of the name include Rothgeber, Redgeber, Rodgeber, Rothgrab, Rothegrab, and Redgrab, meaning "red trench" or "red pit."
Surnames with the same origin include Rothgebinger, Rothgebamer, Rothgeberer, Rothgeberich, Rodgebauer, Rodgeberger, Radigger, Rothgebner, Rothecler, Rotheler, Reder, Redelman, Rothebarb, Rothebarg, and Redebach.
Rothgeb is most common in the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and its variants and other similar surnames can be found in other German-speaking areas, including Austria, Switzerland, and Alsace in France.
Famous people with the name Rothgeb
- Russell Rothgeb: is an American actor known best for his portrayal of Ethan, Bonnie's husband in the film The Village.
- Tiegen Rothgeb: Tiegen Rothgeb is a comedian and actor, known for his work on the hit TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
- Michele Rothgeb: Michele Rothgeb is an American-born producer, director, and writer. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2010 as a co-producer on The Walking Dead.
- John Rothgeb: John Rothgeb is an American sportscaster and reporter who currently works as a commentator for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Crystal Rothgeb: Crystal Rothgeb is an American model and reality TV personality, who gained fame appearing on the 11th cycle of America’s Next Top Model.
- Karen Rothgeb: Karen Rothgeb is a former American weightlifter and Olympic silver medalist. She represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Karl Rothgeb: Karl Rothgeb is an American politician who served as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019.
- Gordon Rothgeb: Gordon Rothgeb is the president and CEO of Koch Industries, a privately held company based in Wichita, Kansas.
- Emily Rothgeb: Emily Rothgeb is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. She plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, and sings on various books, television shows, and movies.
- Julia Rothgeb: Julia Rothgeb is a professional bass player and music teacher, originally from Los Angeles, California. She has shared the stage with numerous Grammy-nominated artists.