Surname Rottluff - Meaning and Origin

Rottluff: What does the surname Rottluff mean?

The last name Rottluff is of Germanic origin, derived from the German word “rötluff” meaning “red wolf”. It was adopted as a surname during the medieval period by people living on the Rhine and other parts of Germany. The name is thought to have referred to a person’s bravery and strength, as red wolves were believed to be extremely strong and ferocious creatures.

The family name Rottluff can also be written as Rotluff, Rotluf, Rottloph, or Rotlopf, which may have been derived from words other than “rötluff”. For example, it could be derived from the German word for a tankard or “tanker”, which was “rötel” or “rotel”. The name could also have been derived from the German word for a canal or “rottle”.

The surname Rottluff appears in records as early as the 13th century. During this period there were several landowning families in Upper Swabia and Swabian Höhenland who adopted the surname. Many of them went on to become successful merchants and merchants’ guilds. In the 19th century, the name was adopted by several Jewish families who had settled in the cities of Frankfurt and Berlin, many of whom went on to become successful bankers and entrepreneurs.

Today, the Rottluffs form a global family, with members found in many countries around the world. Although nobody knows for certain how the last name originated, it is likely that it refers to the powerful and brave spirit of its original bearers.

Rottluff: Where does the name Rottluff come from?

Rottluff is a relatively rare surname today, but is concentrated primarily in Central and Eastern Europe. In Germany, Rottluff is especially common in the greater Berlin area, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, and in the eastern regions of Hesse. In Austria, the surname is found most often in Vienna, while in Switzerland it’s concentrated in the eastern canton of St. Gallen. Beyond the German-speaking countries, Rottluff is especially common in Poland, the Czech Republic, and parts of Russia such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In the United States, the surname is still relatively rare. However, there are concentrations of American citizens with the last name Rottluff in Texas, Arizona, and California. Though Rottluff is generally not a common name in the US today, it is believed to have been adopted at one point by immigrants who settled among other Germans in the Midwest or the South during the 19th century.

Given its Germanic origin, the most noticeable linguistic variations of Rottluff today are Rutloff in Germany, Rotloff in Austria, Rotluff in Switzerland, and Rutloff in Poland. In Russia, meanwhile, the name is often transliterated as Ratloff.

Variations of the surname Rottluff

The surname Rottluff is believed to have originated from one of various placenames beginning with the German word “Rott”, which means “red”. Variations and spellings of this surname include Rottluf, Rottlufi, Rottloff, Rottlowf, Rotlüf, Rothloff, Rothluf and Rötlhauf.

Rottluff is likely a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. It could also have been an occupational surname as it is possible that the name was given to someone for their trade of “Rott” (red). Similarly, the surname could have been an indication of where a person was from, such as the Rott River Valley in Germany.

The most common variants of Rottluff found in the United States are Rottloff and Rothloff, which were likely Americanized versions of the original spelling. Other Americanized variations from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe include Rotherloff, Rottlauf, Rötteloff, Rotcold and Rotcliff.

Rottluff can also appear in alternative forms in different countries. In France, it can be found as Rottluf, Rottlufi and Rotluf. In the United Kingdom, it is often spelled Rottluff, Rotfluff and Rotplough. In Ireland, the surname can appear as Rotcliffe, Rotluff and Rothluth.

Regardless of the variation in spelling, the origin of the surname Rottluff remains the same: someone who was originally from a place associated with the word “Rott” (red).

Famous people with the name Rottluff

• Karl Schmidt-Rottluff: Post-Impressionist, Expressionist artist
• Victoria Barkley Rottluff: American Directional/Practice Mentorship and Advocate
• Christian Albrecht Jensen Rottluff: Danish landscape architect
• Michael Rottluff: German Entertainment lawyer
• Dr. Carlos Eduardo Rottluff: Brazilian Surgeon
• Henning Rottluff: German physicist
• Lars Rottluff: Danish Entrepreneur
• Fritz Rottluff: German General
• Gernot Rottluff: German Modern Business Executive
• Jørgen Rottluff: Danish chess master

Other surnames

Rottluf