Surname Rüffer - Meaning and Origin
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Rüffer: What does the surname Rüffer mean?
The surname Rüffer is a German surname which is primarily found in the Northern, Southern, and Western regions of the country. It originated in the Middle Ages and is derived from the German word "rufe" which translates to a "shout" or a "call". The surname is linked to those who called out or shouted their names or professions. In some cases, the surnames were associated with people who were often loud, as their profession often required making themselves heard.
The most common professions associated with the surname are those of a smith, miller or baker. These professions were typically in high demand throughout the Middle Ages, as industries such as milling and metalworking were needed to help create items necessary for daily life. It is possible that the surname was created and used to distinguish one smith, miller or baker from another.
In modern times, this surname is still common in Germany and is also found in other European countries, as well as in the United States. It can be seen as a variation of another more common German surname, Reiffer. Other variations found around the world include Refz, Ruffer, Reufr, Rufer, and Ruffer.
The meaning behind the last name Rüffer is one of a traditional German stamp, as those who bore this surname in the past were typically associated with certain professions, as well as a mechanically loud, commanding, and powerful presence.
Order DNA origin analysisRüffer: Where does the name Rüffer come from?
Rüffer is not a very common name today, as it originated in Europe over 500 years ago. The name was first recorded in the German city of Frankfurt, in the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the German word rüfen, which means "to call out".
Today, people with the last name Rüffer can be found in many different countries and regions throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Northern Italy. Some have migrated to other countries as well, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, the most common states for persons with the last name Rüffer are Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and California. Rüffer is a relatively rare name even in these states, but there are still some individuals and some families living there who bear the Rüffer name today.
Rüffer is still found in various European countries. Within Germany, some of the cities where the name is more common include Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, and Berlin. In Austria, the city of Vienna is popular among people with the Rüffer surname.
The Rüffer family generally has a strong sense of family and community. They are known for being warm, friendly, and generous, and they take their heritage seriously, which has led to the preservation of the Rüffer name across the generations.
Variations of the surname Rüffer
The surname Rüffer has several variants, spelling and surnames of the same origin. The variants include Reiffer, Ruffer, Röffer, Röfer, Röffner, Reffer, Reffner, Roefer and Ruffner. The most common variant of the surname is Rüffer, which is the original version.
Rüffer is a patronymic surname, derived from the Middle High German first name Rufe or Rüf. The surname is of Germanic origin, from the personal name Hrodebert, composed of the elements "hrod", meaning renown and "berht", meaning bright.
Variations of the surname Rüffer may also be seen in Americanized form as Riffer, Reffer, Reith and Reiff. In the 16th century, a variant of the name, Reufere, also appears in records.
In Germany, the spelling Rüffer is now mostly found in the states of Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Northrhine-Westphalia. The variant Röffer can be found mainly in the areas of Hesse, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. The variant Ruffner is most commonly found around the German state of Bavaria.
The Reiffer variant of the surname is mostly found in the United States. It is Americanized of Rüffer, and is derived from the German immigrant, Simian Reiffer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1735.
The Ruffer variation of the surname is also quite popular in the United States. It is derived from the German immigrant Johannes Christoph Ruffner, who migrated from Germany to York County, Pennsylvania in 1750.
Thus, there are a variety of variants, spelling and surnames that all have the same origin of Rüffer. Though the original spelling may vary, the family origin or heritage usually remains the same.
Famous people with the name Rüffer
- Daniel Rüffer (born 1999), German Alpine ski racer
- Marius Rüffer (born 1981), German footballer
- Peter Rüffer (born 1965), German long-distance runner
- Katrin Rüffer (born 1972), German sprint canoeist
- Wolfgang Rüffer (born 1972), German footballer
- Christof Rüffer (born 1977), German figure skater
- Matthias Rüffer (born 1962), German diplomat and politician
- Johannes Rüffer (born 1995), German basketball player
- Friedrich Rüffer (1790–1842), German classical philologist
- Erwin Rüffer (born 1922), German soldier and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross