Surname Ruffel - Meaning and Origin

Ruffel: What does the surname Ruffel mean?

The last name Ruffel is believed to derive from the Middle English words "rouf" or "roufel," meaning "rough." The name originated with Anglo-Saxon settlers, and was most commonly found in the south and east of England. It may have been an occupational name for someone who was a wool comber, or a topographical name distinguishing someone from someone else living near a rough or rugged area.

Ruffel may also be a local name, derived from a place name. For example, there is a small hamlet in Hampshire, England that is known as Ruffell or Ruffel. It consists of just a few houses and was once part of the larger manor of Udimore. The name appears in records as early as 1219.

The most common variants of the name are Ruffell, Ruffelle, Rufill, Ruffalo, and Ruffill. It is thought to have been brought to the United States by German immigrants, and is now found in many parts of the country.

In any case, the last name Ruffel is certainly an interesting one, with centuries of history and potentially multiple different origins. It is a reminder that many family names can tell a unique story, and that we can often learn more about our past through them.

Ruffel: Where does the name Ruffel come from?

The surname Ruffel is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the Lower Saxony region. In Germany, it is estimated that there are over 200 Ruffels living today. Outside of Germany, Ruffel can be found in countries that have a strong Germanic cultural influence, such as Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.

In the United States, Ruffel is still a relatively uncommon last name, although some families with the last name have been living in the country since the late nineteenth century. Records of the Ruffel family reach as far as South Carolina, although the family is most common on the coasts, particularly in the East and West, as well as in Texas.

In Canada, the surname Ruffel is most commonly found in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. British Columbia represents the highest concentration of Ruffels, with a population of around 75 Ruffels living in the region.

Overall, the last name Ruffel is most common in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Canada. In the United States, the surname is relatively uncommon, although it can be found in some coastal and middle states.

Variations of the surname Ruffel

The surname Ruffel is a patronymic name and originates from the French "Ruffe", which means red-haired. Variants of this surname include Ruffle, Ruffell, Rufel, Rouffel, Rouffel, Ruffauf, Ruffle, Ruffalo, Rouffle, Roffel and Ruffio.

In addition to the aforementioned spelling variations, other spellings of the surname Ruffel include Rufell, Rufflel, Rouffel, Rufle, Ruffole, Ruffelli, Rufial, Rufol, Rouffelli, Ruffiol, Rufiol, Rouffiol and Roffiol. In some cases, the letter ‘u’ has been changed to ‘o’, such as in the variations Ruffol and Ruffoli.

Due to variations in spellings and different countries being transliterated into the same Roman alphabet, the surname Ruffel has closely related surnames. These include Roughley, Roffey, Roff, Ruoff, Roffell, Roffen, Gruff and Graff.

The earliest recorded history dates back to the 13th century, where it was recorded in France. During the Middle Ages, the Ruffel surname became used on multiple occasions in England and other countries across Europe. Records of the surname have been found in Australia and America as well, with some citizens playing important roles in their respective countries. For example, Alexander Ruffel was an early settler in America who arrived in Virginia in 1635, while James Ruffel was transported to Australia in 1790.

Famous people with the name Ruffel

• Anthony Ruffel: American actor and director.
• Sir Victor Charles Ruffel: British diplomat and politician.
• Florence Gladys Ruffel: British botanist.
• George Ruffel: English stage actor and theater manager.
• Pierre Ruffel: French actor and comedian.
• Don Ruffel: American BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning cinematographer.
• T.J. Ruffel: American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist.
• Bill Ruffel: Canadian Football League player and retired Grey Cup champion.
• Pat Ruffel: Canadian Football League player.
• Tony Ruffel: German musician and composer.
• Chris Ruffel: British television presenter.
• Mason Ruffel: Canadian professional skateboarder.
• David Ruffel: American professional basketball player.
• Elisa Ruffel: Brazilian singer and songwriter.
• Francoise Ruffel: French film director. 16.Kerrie Ruffel: South African actress and model.
• Jeff Ruffel: Canadian jazz drummer.
• Janice Ruffel: British netball player.
• Mark Ruffel: British actor and film producer.
• Ken Ruffel: American football quarterback.

Other surnames

RuffeRuffellRufferRüfferRuffertRüffert