Surname Ruhfuß - Meaning and Origin
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Ruhfuß: What does the surname Ruhfuß mean?
The last name Ruhfuß is a German surname that is derived from two words, ruh which means "peace" and fuß which translates to "foot, so the literal translation of the last name is "peaceful foot".
The name is thought to be quite old, with its first known notation dating back to 1524 in the region of Hessen in Middle Germany. It is thought to have meant people that were known for being peaceful and nonaggressive, likely having come from a long tradition of travelling farmers, merchants or healers. Throughout history, people with this last name have been associated with medicine and healing such as in the late 19th century when an Aktobe-based surgeon and sanitary town doctor named Karl Josiph Ruhfuß was born.
The origin of the last name may also be related to the geographical location where the descendants of Ruhfuß lived. In the region of East Prussia during the 1700’s, the Ruhfuß family found themselves settled near a big marsh which provided them with prosperity from its resources and ultimately gave them its namesake.
However, whatever the origin, the surname Ruhfuß is one which is steeped in history. Today, many people around the world carry the family name and bear the legacy of those that came before them with respect for the meaning that it holds.
Order DNA origin analysisRuhfuß: Where does the name Ruhfuß come from?
The last name Ruhfuß is most commonly found in Germany. In the west and central regions of the country, including the states of Hessia, Bavaria, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Saarland, the name is quite popular. It appears in the German phone book more than eight thousand times, making it one of the more common surnames in the country.
Outside of Germany, Ruhfuß also appears in pockets of Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. However, it is largely unheard of outside of these areas. For example, in the United States, it appears as only a few dozen listings across the whole country.
German-speaking immigrants are likely responsible for the spread of Ruhfuß outside of Europe. During the 19th and 20th century waves of German immigration and emmigration, many families bearing this name made their home in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world.
The meaning of Ruhfuß is “rest-foot” or “peace-foot.” This could allude to peaceful times, when people stopped their travels, or a culture of peaceful living, like that of a small village. It could also be a reference to the hopes for strength and stability for those who bear the name.
Variations of the surname Ruhfuß
The surname Ruhfuß is of German origin and belongs to the Rufus surname group. It’s variants include Ruh, Ruffo, Ruf, Ruoffus, Rufe, Ruffus, Rufus, Ruff and Rupp.
Ruh or Ruffo is a common variant which is commonly found in areas such as Prussia and Bavaria. In some cases, this variant may also be seen as Rufo or Rüffo.
Ruf is a variant often found in Southwestern Germany.
Ruoffus is typically found in Northern Germany and can also appear as Roffus.
Rufe is another variant which is found mainly in North-West Germany.
Ruffus is typically seen in South Germany and Austria while Rufus appears in areas such as Saxony and Thuringia.
Ruff and Rupp are variants which are only occasionally used.
When looking for the names of other members of the same family, it is important to remember that different spellings might have been used on official records, whether through changes in spelling conventions or simply the fact that the person writing the record did not know the correct spelling. It is therefore best to look for people with similar surnames, such as Ruffe, Rufe, Ruffus, Ruff, Rupp, Ruhfuß, Ruf or even Ruoffus. It is also worth looking for spellings which have become phonetically similar, such as Rufo.
Famous people with the name Ruhfuß
- Stephanie Ruhfus, German music producer and songwriter
- Angela Ruhfus, politician from Germany
- John Ruhfus, former NFL linebacker
- Max Ruhfus, German long-distance swimmer
- Michael Ruhfus, former tennis player, German national champion in 1971
- Erhart Ruhfus, German sculptor
- Frederick Ruhfus, German composer and conductor
- Alois Ruhfus, German novelist and playwright
- Lorenz Ruhfus, German chemist
- Hermann Ruhfus, German politician and statesman
- Gerhard Ruhfus, German mathematician and astronomer
- Pierre Ruhfus, French ice hockey player