Surname Rollewagen - Meaning and Origin
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Rollewagen: What does the surname Rollewagen mean?
The last name Rollewagen is a German surname, derived from the word 'rolle', meaning 'wheel' and 'wagen', meaning 'cart'. The name was likely given to someone living in a place where a rolling cart or wagon was common. Alternatively, the name may also be derived from the old German word 'rolo', meaning to 'roll'. This could suggest that the surname was originally used to denote someone who worked with rolling or rolling machines.
The name Rollewagen is found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, most typically near the Rhine. The name is also found in parts of northeastern France and Belgium, and has been recorded in England as Rollwagen and Rowlans. Reasons for this geographic distribution of the name could include migration as a result of military or economic necessity, or due to a familial relationship or inheritance.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Rollewagen dates back to the mid 1500s, when it appears in records from the German state of Wuerttemberg. This suggests that Rollewagen is an ancient surname, likely far older than this record, and could in fact date back to the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisRollewagen: Where does the name Rollewagen come from?
The last name Rollewagen is most commonly found in Northwestern Germany and Northern Poland. In the German city of Bielefeld, the name is found more regularly with other Rollewagens populating the greater surrounding area. Within Poland, there are several cities with Rollewagens including the cities of Wroclaw, Szczecin, and Poznan.
The Rollewagen name is derived from the old German word, "rolle", which means wheeled cart. It is assumed that the family likely had a long-standing connection to the wheel - perhaps a wheelwright or wheelbarrow maker. The "wagen" part of the name then suggests the presence of wagons, carriages, carts or wheelchairs that the ancestors used or built.
Rollewagens have a long-standing presence in Europe with records of the name first appearing in the 14th century. It is possible that the Rollewagen family actually has roots farther back in history and the name was established in the later centuries as a way to identify the family who lived in the land that is now Northwestern Germany and Northern Poland.
The Rollewagen surname is still seen in Germany and Poland today, particularly in the region of those two countries. However, the name is no longer as common as it was centuries ago as people have migrated and changed place of residence in Europe. The Rollewagen name still lives on in modern day though and is a testament to the rich history that is maintained in the region.
Variations of the surname Rollewagen
The Rollewagen surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Rollewagen is a German-originated surname which first came up during the 19th century and continues to be used today in Germany and its neighboring countries. Common variant spellings of Rollewagen include Rollwagen, Rollwag, Röllwag, Roloff, Rollhoff, Rollhoffer, and Rollhofferin.
Variant surnames for Rollewagen include Roloff, Rollhoff, Rollhoffer, Rollhofferin, and Rollow. These surnames likely derived from Rollewagen through mispronunciation, transcription errors, or intentional name changes.
In some countries, Rollewagen is known as Rolloff. This most likely arose from mispronunciation of the original Rollewagen surname. In other countries, grandparents and great grandparents of those who currently carry the Rollewagen surname may have independently created different surnames from either the original or a variant spelling.
Rollewagen is also a popular surname among those of Jewish heritage, as it can easily be translated to either English or Hebrew to describe wheel or carriage. Some spellings, including Rollhoffer and rollwah, are commonly used among Jews of eastern European heritage.
No matter what spelling or variant is used, the Rollewagen surname is one of great German heritage.
Famous people with the name Rollewagen
- Rudolph Rollewagen: German actor known for roles in Die Wölfe, Eine schöne Bescherung, and A Most Wanted Man
- Erich Rollewagen: German Actor, director, and producer known for his work on Krankheit der Jugend, Sisyphus, and Die schlimmen Buben
- Johann Rollewagen:German stage actor and opera singer, remembered for his roles in The Barber of Seville, Don Giovanni, and Faust
- Wolfgang Rollewagen:German stage actor specialising in classics like The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and Othello
- Carl Rollewagen: German theologian, historian, and teacher, remembered for his extensive research and knowledge in the history of the German people
- Heinz Rollewagen: German sculptor known for his bronze statues of historical people, like Friedrich Wilhelm III, and monuments of the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig
- Margaret Rollewagen: German teacher and writer famous for her books and stories about her experiences in the education space