Surname Ruffian - Meaning and Origin

Ruffian: What does the surname Ruffian mean?

Ruffian is not a commonly recognized surname, instead it's typically known as an English word which means a brutal, lawless person or a tough, aggressive individual. It is derived from the Old French word "rufian" which means a scoundrel or ruffian. Historically, it is often used to describe hooligans, thugs, or individuals who use violent and aggressive measures. The term often carries a negative connotation. However, it's important to remember that names don't necessarily reflect one's character or behavior. If Ruffian was a surname, it could originate from various historical contexts with different meanings. Most commonly, surnames were derived from occupations, geographic locations or even personal characteristics in the Middle Ages, but the person bearing the surname Ruffian today may have no connection to its original meaning.

Ruffian: Where does the name Ruffian come from?

The last name Ruffian is most common today in southern Europe, specifically France, Spain, Italy, and Greece. It is also found in other countries such as Slovakia, Ireland, and Bulgaria. The name is derived from the Latin word rufus, which means red. The name may also have been derived from a nickname for someone with red hair.

In France, the surname is usually found in Burgundy, in the centre of France. In Spain, it can be found in the regions of Aragon, Castile, and Catalan. In Italy, records show that the Ruffian surname is mostly concentrated in the Campania region.

Ruffian is also a common Sicilian surname, especially in the province of Palermo. It is found in the provinces of Agrigento, Trapani and Messina. Additionally, it is common in the regions of Calabria and Puglia. In Greece, the Ruffian surname can be found in the Peloponnese, in the Athenae region and in Athens city.

In the United States, the surname is also common, particularly in New York. Records show that there are Ruffians mostly in Los Angeles, San Francisco and also in Miami, Florida. It is also common in Canada, with many Ruffians having their origins in Ireland and Italy.

The last name Ruffian remains a common surname today with its origins being found in southern Europe. Ruffian families and descendants are now found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and even in Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Ruffian

The surname Ruffian has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Ruffin, Rufin, Roffin, Ruffon, Rufon, Ruffen, Ruffens, and Ruffon. It is also possible to find variants of this surname with different spellings such as Roffin, Rofin, Refin, Raffin, Raffen or Ruffine.

Ruffian is a family name from the British Isles. It’s believed that the Ruffian surname is derived from a Norman-French word ‘ruffin’, which means ‘ruffian’ or ‘ruffian-like’, probably in reference to strength and fighting ability. This name was especially popular among Medieval Scottish aristocracy.

The name has also been found in Ireland, where it is thought to be derived from the ancient Gaelic name ‘Roibhean’, meaning ‘red’. The Irish variant of this name is ‘Reifan’ or ‘Reafan’.

In Germany, the surname is spelled ‘Rufen’ or ‘Ruffen’ and has several different Polish spellings, including ‘Rufin’, ‘Rofin’, ‘Ryfin’ and ‘Rafin’. These spellings of the surname date back to medieval knights who moved to Poland and established the Ruffian Noble family line.

Today, there are many variations and spellings of the Ruffian surname, reflecting its diverse origins in various countries around the world. It is certain, however, that the original reference to a brave soldier is still echoed in the surname today.

Famous people with the name Ruffian

• Mitch Ruffin: A soccer player and forward for the USL Championship team Phoenix Rising FC.
• Margaret Ruffin: An American actress known for her appearances in film and television.
• James Ruffin: A professional boxer from the United States who last fought on December 1, 2017.
• Alvin E. Ruffin: An award-winning journalist and civil rights activist who received numerous honors for his work in both fields.
• Juanita Ruffin (Bynum): An American civil rights leader who was active in the early days of the civil rights movement.
• Jennifer Ruffin: An actress and model best known for her roles as the Barbie doll in Disney's “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast” films.
• Orton Ruffin: A prominent business leader in the early days of African-American enterprise who served as the first executive director of the National Negro Business League.
• Thomas Ruffin: A judge and politician who served as the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1829 to 1852.
• Bonnie Ruffin: An American actress who starred in multiple films throughout her career and is best known for her role on “7th Heaven.”
• Barbra Ruffin: An African-American actress and comedian who has been featured in films such as “Soul Food,” “Barbershop” and “The Craft.”

Other surnames

RuffinRuffingRuffini