Surname Rufert - Meaning and Origin

Rufert: What does the surname Rufert mean?

The last name Rufert is of German origin and is derived from the German word ruf, meaning “loud” or “noise”. This name could have been given to someone who was particularly loud or noisy, perhaps someone who was an outspoken leader in their community.

The name was most likely established in Germany during the Middle Ages as a hereditary surname which was likely passed down through the generations of Rufert family members. In fact, some records of the name date back to as early as 500 AD.

The Rufert family is thought to have originated in the Oldenburg region of northern Germany, which is home to a number of surnames similar to the Rufert name. It is also speculated that they migrated to some other parts of northern Europe later on.

Throughout centuries, Rufert families have established themselves as independent and enterprising, developing a reputation as successful farmers and merchants. They have also been said to have contributed to the development of the brewing and winemaking industry as early as the 1600s in the city of Oldenburg.

Today, there are still many descendants of the Rufert family living in Germany and other parts of the world. Knowing the origin of this name inspires others to appreciate their roots and the legacy of their ancestors.

Rufert: Where does the name Rufert come from?

The last name Rufert is most commonly found in Germany. Although the exact origin of the name is debated, there are many different populations of Ruferts. A study done in the 2013, which examined surnames in Germany, identified Rufert as a common surname in the states of Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, and Berlin.

In the same year, a status report by Europeana Names also found that Rufert was ranked 4,846th among the most common surnames in Germany. It was also found that the Rufert surname is particularly concentrated in central Germany, with the highest concentrations occurring in the states of Saxony and Thuringia.

Rufert is rarely used as a given name outside of Germany. There are, however, instances of the surname appearing in other countries, including the US and the UK. In the US, the Rufert surname is still most commonly found in German-American communities in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In addition to its presence in Germany and other European countries, Rufert is also found among communities of German-speaking Mennonites in Canada, the US, Paraguay and Uruguay. All these groups are descendants of German immigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Overall, the surname Rufert is most commonly found in Germany and its surrounding areas, as well as in German-American and Mennonite communities elsewhere in the world.

Variations of the surname Rufert

The surname Rufert is a Germanic-based surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word "rufter," which means "one who is strong-willed or brave" or "someone who is determined and confident." It is also derived from the Old High German word "ruf" which means "fame, renown, glory, or honor." Variants of the surname Rufert include Rufort, Ruffert, Rufferth, Ruffurth, Rufford, Rufard, Ruffard, Ruffarth, Ruffert, Ruffordt and Rufferts.

The surname can also be found spelled differently in German records, such as Ruffhard, Ruffhardt, Rufardt, Rufhard, Rufhardt, Rufharde, Rufhardt, Rufhaupt and Rufhadel. These spellings are all derived from the same etymological origin, but represent the changes in spelling and usage of the surname over the centuries.

Surnames of similar origins include Ro(h)fert, Rofarth, Ropfert, Riffert, Ripfert, Ropert, Ruppert, Roopert, Ropeft, and Rufertz. All of these names are derived from the Middle High German word "rufter," meaning "strong-willed" or "determined."

In the United States, the surname Rufert is particularly common in Pennsylvania, where it is the 68th most common surname in the state. It is also popular in Virginia, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Famous people with the name Rufert

• Dave Rupert: American Web Developer and co-founder of Paravel.
• Heather Rufert: American entrepreneur, the CEO of Ladies Who Launch.
• Ryan Rufert: American voice actor, active for over a decade in video game soundtracks.
• David Rufert: American actor, best known for his roles in Jessica Jones and Friends With Benefits.
• Lauren Rufert: American actress, known for her roles in The Room, Justified, and The Leftovers.
• Chelsea Rufert: American professional snowboarder, winning two Winter X Games gold medals.
• Michael Rufert: British Olympic equestrian, winning a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
• Tim Rufert: American guitarist, active in the underground hardcore and punk scenes since the mid-1980s.
• Krysta Rufert: American college basketball player, representing the University of Louisville since 2019.
• Chad Rufert: American musician, frontman of the punk-rock band Ruferts.

Other surnames

RuferRüfer