Surname Ruttluff - Meaning and Origin
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Ruttluff: What does the surname Ruttluff mean?
The last name Ruttluff is of German origin, and it is believed to be a variation of the German word for "rough man". The name reportedly originated from a nickname given to someone who was strong, tough, or otherwise unyielding. It is also possible that the name could have been given to someone quite literally rough, or a worker who was especially adept and hardworking with his hands.
It is likely that the name was first used in Germany during the Middle Ages. The people were hardworking and did most of the labor with their hands, and those individuals who stood out and were especially adept would have been given nicknames like "Ruttluff". This nickname could have spread and become a formalized surname over the centuries.
Today, the last name Ruttluff is still common in Germany, but it can also be found around the world. It is often spelled a variety of ways, including Ruttruff, Ruteloff, Rutteloff, Ruttelove, and Rutelove. No matter how it is spelled, the name will always have the same meaning of toughness, strength, and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisRuttluff: Where does the name Ruttluff come from?
The last name Ruttluff is most commonly found in countries with heavy German influence, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. The name Ruttluff is derived from the German word "Rüttel" which means "quiver" or "shake".
In the United States, the name Ruttluff is largely concentrated in the South, with family members settled in Arkansas, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and more. It is believed that the first of the Ruttluffs in the United States was Johannes Ruttluff, born in 1746. He was initially a Hessian soldier from Germany, but later defected and eventually settled in Maryland.
In Germany, the name Ruttluff can be found along the Rhine River where it is believed the first of the Ruttluff family originated. Within Germany, there are larger populations of Ruttluffs in the states of Rheinland-Pfalz, Hesse, and Bavaria.
In Switzerland, the name Ruttluff is spread out more evenly and is especially concentrated in the canton of Zurich.
In Austria, there is a small family of Ruttluffs in the state of Salzburg.
Though the name Ruttluff is not particularly common outside of these German-speaking countries, it is preserved by descendants of the original family and still used today.
Variations of the surname Ruttluff
The surname Ruttluff is derived from the German language and has many variants. One of the most common variations is Rutzluf, which is pronounced "Roots-loof". This is due to the German pronunciation rules, which dictate that the letter "t" is replaced with the letter "z" when being vocalized. Other variations of the name include Rotzluft, Rotzluf, Rutsluft, Rutsluf, Rutzlow, Rutzluff, Rützluft, and Rutzloff.
The surname is believed to be derived from the German word "rotz", which means "snot". This was likely given as a nickname to someone who was seen as obnoxious or disrespectful. It could also be related to the German word "rotzeln", which means to rub or press something with vigor and force.
The surname also has variants in other German-speaking countries. In Austria, there is the variant "Rutzloff" or "Rutleof", which is also derived from the German root words "rotz" and "luft". In Switzerland, the variants "Rötzlif" and "Rötzli" are found.
In some cases, the surname has been spelled with a double "t" due to various phonetics. This spelling is seen in the variant "Ruttluff". Other variants of the surname with the same double-t spelling include Rutloff, Ruttlow, and Ruttluf.
In the United States and other countries, the spelling of the surname has been Anglicized, sometimes changing the spelling to Rootluff or Routsliff.
Although the variations of Ruttluff have evolved over time, most of the spellings can be traced back to the original German word meaning “snot”.
Famous people with the name Ruttluff
- Michael Ruttluff: a Swiss singer, best known as a finalist on The Voice of Switzerland.
- Dieter Ruttluff: a German composer, conductor, and orchestral arranger.
- Karl Ruttluff: a German-American painter and printmaker, known for his abstract expressionist works.
- Hans Ruttluff: an important Austrian geographer and geomorphologist in the early 20th century.
- Christian Ruttluff: a German former professional cyclist.
- Kurt Ruttluff: a German former ski jumper who competed in the early 1970s.
- Uwe Ruttluff: a German former footballer who is now manager of MSV Oberlausitz Neugersdorf.
- Peter Ruttluff: a German rower and Olympic gold medalist in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- Thomas Ruttluff: a German former cyclist who was active in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Martin Ruttluff: a German rower and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics.