This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Rolf family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Rolf Family History

Rolf Surname Meaning

English: variant of Rolfe. North German: from a personal name a shortened form of Rudolf.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Rolf family from?

You can see how Rolf families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rolf family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Rolf families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 107 Rolf families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Rolf's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Rolf families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rolf surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Rolf ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Rolf. 29% of Rolf men worked as a General Labourer and 78% of Rolf women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Rolf were Fish Merchant and Office Cleaner.

View Census Data for Rolf | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    29%
  • Fisherman
    15%
  • Cowman
    10%
  • Fish Merchant
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Office Cleaner
    3%

What Rolf family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 24,000 census records available for the last name Rolf. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rolf census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Rolf

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Rolf. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Rolf immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Rolf. For the veterans among your Rolf ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rolf military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rolf family history

Discover More

What is the average Rolf lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Rolf life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Rolf in 1944 was 26, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rolf

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Rolf ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Rolf family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial