Surname Rolwers - Meaning and Origin

Rolwers: What does the surname Rolwers mean?

The last name Rolwers is of Germanic origin, typically originating from northern Europe. It is derived from the English word ‘roller’, meaning ‘one who rolls things’. The name is thought to have been borne originally by people who made their living by rolling certain goods, such as barrels and casks. These people were known as ‘Rolwers’ in the old Germanic language.

Throughout the centuries, this family name became a surname which identified individuals, and this style of naming became commonplace in the Middle Ages. As people moved and migrated in Europe, the name was spread with them to other regions. Today, the name can still be found in many countries across northern Europe.

Rolwers is often seen as a strong, hardworking name, often associated with diligence and craftsmanship. People bearing this name are generally seen as reliable and trust-worthy individuals, and are admired in the community for their ambition and ability to learn new skills.

The name has had many different spellings throughout history, including Rollers and Rolvers, so it is possible to find variations on the name when researching family history and genealogy. One of the most popular variations of Rolwers is Rolvers, which is the most commonly-used spelling in the modern day.

Rolwers: Where does the name Rolwers come from?

The last name Rolwers is most commonly seen in the Netherlands and Germany, especially in North-West and Westphalia. It is also found in smaller numbers in France, the United States, Canada, and Belgium. The Netherlands is home to the highest concentration of Rolwers families, accounting for about 40% of all recorded occurrences. In Germany, the surname is primarily found in the western and central regions.

The etymology of the name Rolwers is Dutch, stemming from 'rolwer', which was an occupational term for a cooper - someone who made and repaired barrels. Records of the time suggest that the first bearers of the name Rolwers were belonged to this profession, which likely meant their place of origin was the Netherlands or northwestern Germany.

Rolwers is not a particularly common surname. In the Netherlands, only about 6500 people currently bear the name, and in the United States there are less than 1000 people with this last name. However, because of its occupational origin, it is likely that this number has been quite steady for many centuries, as the family name may have been perpetuated by the same members of the profession for generations.

Variations of the surname Rolwers

The surname Rolwers is believed to have originated from northern Germany and is a relatively uncommon surname. Variants of the surname include Rawler, Rauhler, Rauwler, Rauler and Roller.

The most commonly seen variant is Rolwers, which has no significant spelling variations. Spellings for the name can include Rolwer, Rollwer, Raolwers, Raulwer, and Roolwer, though these variations are not commonly seen.

Surnames of similar origin include Roloff, Rolf, Rollef, Rolide, and Roline. Roloff is the most common, stemming from an anglicization of the name and may be spelt with one or two "f"s, while Rollef and Rolide are less common spellings.

Roline and Rolf seem to have originated from Scandinavia. Roline is an Americanization of the surname, with an attempt to make it sound more fashionable, while Rolf is a Scandinavian form of the same surname.

Overall, the surname Rolwers has numerous variants and spellings, some of which are still fairly uncommon today. As such, it is likely that any given person who carries the name may have a different spelling or a derivative of the original surname.

Famous people with the name Rolwers

• Rollie Fingers: Professional baseball pitcher and Hall of Fame inductee
• Stan Rogers: Canadian folk musician
• Bob Roll: Professional bicycle racer and cycling analyst
• Will Rogers: American stage and screen actor, comedian, and social commentator
• Richard Rodgers: American composer, best known for his collaborations with lyricist Lorenz Hart and later Oscar Hammerstein II
• Betty Rollin: Award-winning producer, author and journalist
• Jonathan Rollins: Professional American soccer player
• Brian Rollins: Professional American baseball player
• John Rolle: English politician
• Ike Rollins: Professional American basketball player

Other surnames

Rolwes