Surname Ordolff - Meaning and Origin
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Ordolff: What does the surname Ordolff mean?
The last name Ordolff is a German or Dutch last name. The origins of the name come from two distinct words. The first is ‘orden’, which refers to a kind of order or command. The second is ‘wolf’, which refers to the majestic grey wolf with origins tied to mythology. Together, the name can mean either “wolf of order” or “order of the wolf”.
The German ‘Ordolff’ is likely derived from the Old German ‘Ord-wolf’, which signified a powerful ruler or leader. It is a name most often associated with medieval nobility, as Oberwolf translates to ‘overlord’ or ‘supreme leader’. In some regions of Germany and Holland, the name Ordolff can indicate that the family has noble roots.
The Ordolff family can trace their roots to the duchy of Westphalia, a region of Germany that existed until 1803. This region is located around the modern-day state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and was once part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Today, Ordolff is still a popular name across Germany and Holland, and there are small numbers in other countries too. It has been linked with figures of wealth and influence, but its true meanings have remained obscured. Whether it refers to a position of status or the powerful imagery of a wild wolves, the Ordolff name will continue to carry a certain level of mystery.
Order DNA origin analysisOrdolff: Where does the name Ordolff come from?
The last name Ordolff is primarily found in Germany today. This surname has several sources and spellings. It is believed that the Ordolff surname can be traced back to a medieval Germanic region of the Middle Rhine Valley where it was taken on by a number of families during the Middle Ages.
The earliest known written use of the Ordolff name is found in 1250 when a knight by the name of Dietrich von Ordolff is mentioned in a document from Cologne. Prior to this there are noted references that suggest the name originated from the Lower Rhine area.
It is believed to have dispersed to many parts of Germany, including Saxony and the Prussian provinces of East Prussia, Brandenburg and West Prussia. It is conjectured that some Ordolffs may have even migrated as far as the United States.
Today, Ordolffs are found mainly in southern Germany, but the name is also quite common in the Rhineland-Palatinate area, as well as Bavaria. This may be the result of both the density of the population in these regions, but also may be derived from a movement of the Ordolffs away from regions of Germany which experienced wars or conflict.
In addition to Germany, Ordolff can also be found in the United Kingdom, particularly in London. This may be the result of emigration from Germany or other parts of Europe as early as the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Ordolff is a fairly common name found in Germany and the United Kingdom, and interestingly enough, it is believed to have originated as far back as the Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Ordolff
The surname Ordolff can be spelled in a variety of ways due to differing orthographies across countries and languages. Variants of the name include Ordolf, Ortolf, Ordolfi, and Ordolfe, among others. In some cases, the ending consonant -ff can be replaced with a f, such as in the spelling Ordolf. Additionally, other surnames that can be traced to the same origin include Etolof, Ortolff, Ordelof, Ordwolf, Ordeloff, and Etheloff.
The surname is likely derived from the Old High German personal name Orðolf, which is composed of two elements: the first, orð, meaning 'commandment', 'law', or 'authority'; and the second element, wolf, which is regarded as referring to a leader, or more specifically 'wolf-leader'. This combination of words thus creates the meaning 'ruler of justice'.
The Ordolff variant of the surname first appears in the 12th Century in regions now comprising both Germany and Sweden. Many individuals with the surname can be found in the North and South German regions Straussheim, Speyer, and Soppenheim.
In the United States, individuals with the Ordolff surname were mostly of German or Swiss origin and first arrived in Pennsylvania and New York in the 19th century. According to records, the US population of individuals with the name increased rapidly, increasing from just 11 individuals in 1890 to 275 in 1910.
Famous people with the name Ordolff
- Karl Friedrich Ordolff (1745-1836): a German theologian, Orientalist, professor in Heidelberg and author of books on the Arabic and Persian languages.
- Wilhelm Ordolff (1890-1948): a German Generalleutnant who served in World War II and was credited with developing a innovative aircraft defence system known as the Ordolff Formation.
- Martin Ordolff (born 1951): a German percussionist and composer who has worked with ensembles and orchestras such as the Berlin Chamber Orchestra and the Scharoun Ensemble.
- Wolfgang Ordolff (1932-1996): a German painter and sculptor active in the avant-garde of the 1960s and 1970s.
- Marius Ordolff (1904-1986): a German sculptor, coin designer and medallist, best known for his bronze and stone busts of famous people.
- Stephan Ordolff (born 1973): a German businessman, philanthropist, and political advisor who was CEO of the large Ordolff Group from Institute Medicum.
- Christine Ordolff (born 1981): a German actress, singer, model and TV host, best known for her roles in the German television show Lollipop and the German version of The Voice Kids.
- Hermann Ordolff (1921-2006): a German composer, arranger, music producer and conductor, who worked in radio and television in Germany.
- Simon Ordolff (born 1970): a German electrical engineer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Inamacare, a software startup focused on providing health IT solutions.
- Joachim Ordolff (born 1962): a German writer and blogger, best known for his children’s book series Der garstige Gregor.