Surname Gilruff - Meaning and Origin

Gilruff: What does the surname Gilruff mean?

The last name Gilruff is an interesting and distinctive surname, derived from the German language. It is a habitation name from a village in the region of Lower Saxony in northwest Germany, which was also called Gilruff or Gilriff from the Germanic ‘gild’, meaning ‘old’ with ‘rouf’, meaning ‘shrub’, or ‘old bush’, referring to a topographical feature near the village, such as a bush or shrub.

Through the centuries, Gilriff and Gilruff have evolved, and a variety of spellings exist all around the world, including Gillruf and Gilruff. The surname spans a wide range of countries, including Germany, Britain, Ireland, Holland, USA, Canada, and many more.

The surname Gilruff references a long-standing family history and lineage that stretches back many centuries, and those who carry it proudly; however, they may not know the origins of their own name or from where it derives its meaning. As a unique and more obscure surname, it’s likely that those with the name Gilruff are descendants of the same German village, or have a connection to it through their ancestors.

Even though this surname is relatively unheard-of, it stands out in that it carries a strong sense of family heritage and tells of centuries of family migration, moving between countries and settling in new places. As many Gilruffs have settled throughout the world, they carry with them a piece of their German heritage and keep the name alive.

Gilruff: Where does the name Gilruff come from?

The surname Gilruff is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the largest concentration of people with the name are found in Pennsylvania. During the 1930 census, the most Gilruff individuals were recorded in that state.

The last name is also fairly popular in Wales, United Kingdom. The majority of those people descend from two separate groups who came to Anglesey. The first group, called the Goethels, were thought to be of Flemish origin and settled in the late 1700s. The second group, called the Emigrates, were thought to be possibly of German heritage and arrived in the early 1800s.

Within the United States, some pockets of the name also appear in Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana. During the 1920 census, Gilruffs were most popular in Indiana.

In terms of language, the name can be found written as Gilruff, Gillruff, Gilroof, Gilruf, or Gillroof, yet most people with the last name use the spelling Gilruff.

Overall, the name Gilruff is most commonly found in the United States and parts of the United Kingdom where some individuals trace their heritage to Flemish and German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Gilruff

The surname Gilruff has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variations most commonly encountered in records include: Gilrouf, Gilruth, Gilroof, Gilref, Gilroff, Gilleruth, Gilleruf, Gillruth, Gilleref, Gilleff, Gilleroff, Gilruthf, Gilrufff, Gilrofft, Gilrooft, and Gulroof.

The surname is thought to be of English origin, though some forms of the name might be of German origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word “gilrif” which means "to make ready." This was used to refer to a servant or someone of a lower class status who was entrusted with preparing meals or doing a variety of tasks. The surname could also have been derived from the Old English word “grif” meaning “wood.” This is likely if the name originated from areas where woodworking was a common occupation.

People bearing the Gilruff surname are mainly found in the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. In the United States during the 1800s and 1900s, the surname was quite common and in many areas of the United States, it is still in use.

During the 19th century, many variations and spellings of this unique surname developed. Sometimes people without a lot of education spell names differently when writing them down or when records are made. People have also made changes to their name over the years for a variety of reasons, such as to more readily integrate into a society or in order to anglicize the name so that it was easier to pronounce.

Famous people with the name Gilruff

• Darcy Gilfry: an American opera singer who has regularly been featured with the Metropolitan Opera since her debut in November 2002.
• Colby Gilfry: an American actor and musician who has appeared in films, television, and theater productions.
• Carson Gilfry: an American pop singer who charted in the Hot 100 in October 2014 with his single, “She’s Got a Way”.
• Dave Gilfry: an Irish actor who has appeared in several films and television shows, including the BBC's “Home and Away” and “Love/Hate”.
• Annie Gilfry: an American voice actress, best known for her work in animation.
• Nicole Gilfry: an American singer/songwriter who has released several albums and EPs and performed around the world.
• Georgia Gilfry: an American musical theatre actress who has appeared on Broadway and the West End.
• Robert Gilfry: an American ballet dancer, known for his work with the Pennsylvania Ballet and for originating the role of Gaston in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast”.
• Jacob Gilfry: an American independent film producer who has worked on several notable productions, including the 2015 film “Ex Machina”.
• Chris Gilfry: an American film editor who has worked on several major studio films, including “The Avengers” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

Other surnames

GilruchtGilruthGilrutht