Surname Rottenfußer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rottenfußer: What does the surname Rottenfußer mean?
The last name Rottenfußer is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German words "Rott" and "Fusserer". The literal translation of these words is “rotten foot” or “having rotten feet”. As such, the surname likely originated as an occupational name given to someone who was a peddler by trade.
In those days, peddlers travelled from village to village and frequently had to go on long journeys by foot and would often become wet, tired and ill. As such, one could easily develop nasty and infected foot conditions that would become rotten, hence the name.
The full meaning of the last name Rottenfußer is therefore "peddler with rotten feet". However, other slightly less literal translations could also be used such as, “marketer of the open roads” and “salesman who walked far and wide”. While the literal meaning was likely intended simply to distinguish individuals with similar sounding names, the actual name has come to have an interesting and unique history behind it.
Order DNA origin analysisRottenfußer: Where does the name Rottenfußer come from?
The last name Rottenfußer is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The name is associated with the German profession of “Rottenfusser,” a term which refers to a profession of wooden vessel makers.
The origin of the name Rottenfußer dates back to 16th century Germany, when the surname was derived from an occupational name, most likely given to those who were skilled at making the wooden vessels. This occupational name was derived from the German word 'rotten', which translates to “to glue” - likely referring to the glue used to create the vessels. Over the centuries, the surname has spread across Central Europe and found its way to many continents, including the Americas and Australia.
In terms of numbers, Rottenfußer is not an especially common last name. According to some estimates, there are around 5,000 people in the world with the surname Rottenfußer. Most of them are located in Germany, with a smaller concentration in Austria. The combined population of individuals with the surname in both countries is estimated to be about 1,500.
Moreover, Rottenfußer is less common in the United States, with about 108 people in the country bearing the name. This is a comparatively low number, which reflects the international nature of the surname and its origin within Germany.
Overall, the last name Rottenfußer is primarily found in Germany and Austria, with smaller numbers located elsewhere throughout Central Europe and the Americas. The number of individuals with this last name is quite small, emphasizing the fact that it is a relatively uncommon name.
Variations of the surname Rottenfußer
Rottenfußer is a German surname. It is very old, with records for it dating back to the late 13th century in Germany. Variations of this surname include Rottenfuß, Rottenfuss, Rotenfußer, Rotenfuß, Rotenfueser, Rotenfues, Rotenfusser, Rotenfuss. In Poland, the surname can be seen as Rottenfuter, Rottenfutr or Rotenfurt. The surname has also been seen in other forms, such as Rottenfusser, Rottenfsier, Rottenfussner, and Rottenfueser.
Rottenfußer has evolved and changed over time. It is believed that the earliest form of the surname was Rotenfußer, and that this changed to Rottenfußer over time. It may be derived from the German words rot (‘red’) and fuß (‘foot’), as a reference to an ancestor who had a red-colored foot. Alternatively, it could be a reference to a location where the land was muddy and boggy, similar to terms like ‘fester’ or ‘fether’ meaning ‘swamp’.
Given its age and evolution, there are numerous surnames of the same origin. For example, Rotherr, Roterfuss, Rothfuss, Rothhofer, Rothecker, Rothholz, Rothacker, Rothbart, Rothberg, Rothers, Rothemund, and Rothfus are all believed to be derived from the same root. The most common spelling today is Rottenfußer, but variations are still seen in modern times.
Famous people with the name Rottenfußer
- Wilfried Rottenfußer: actor who starred in films such as Nickelodeon's School of Rock and Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
- Alexandra Rottenfußer: German social media star who is best known for vlogging and filmmaking.
- Kristina Rottenfußer: German model and actress, best known for appearances in the German television series Alles Atze.
- Uwe Rottenfußer: footballer who spent most of his professional career playing for German club Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Claudia Rottenfußer: German social media personality, best known for her Instagram account "claudia_cig."
- Karl Rottenfußer: Austrian journalist, author, and political scientist, who worked as a war correspondent and writer for the Austrian newspaper Der Standard.
- Ulrich Rottenfußer: German diplomat, who served as the Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997.
- Markus Rottenfußer: Austrian musician and composer, best known for his work in the German rock band Brainpool.
- Ulrike Rottenfußer: German author and professor of geography, who is also a well-known spokesperson for environmental issues in Germany.
- Armin Rottenfußer: German swimmer, who won a gold medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972 as part of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.