Rudolph

Rudolph is a British surname of Germanic origin. The name is derived from the Old High German personal name Hrodwulf, which is composed of the elements hrod meaning "fame" and wulf meaning "wolf". The name was brought to England during the medieval period by the Norman invaders and settlers.

The surname Rudolph is found throughout the United Kingdom, with concentrations in areas where there were historical settlements of Norman or Germanic communities. Variants of the surname include Rudolf and Rudolfsson.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Rudolph include:

  • Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994): An American sprinter who overcame childhood illness and physical disabilities to become a three-time Olympic gold medalist.
  • George Rudolph: A fictional character in British literature, often depicted as a wise and eccentric old man.

The Rudolph surname carries with it a sense of strength and nobility, reflecting its Germanic origins and the historical prestige associated with the name.

There are approximately 374 people named Rudolph in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Rudolph.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Region of origin: Europe

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Ashley
  • Dieter
  • George
  • James
  • Jason
  • John
  • Joshua
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Neil
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Ryan
  • William

Female

  • Anna
  • Charlotte
  • Christine
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Jane
  • Judith
  • Margaret
  • Pamela
  • Patricia
  • Susan
  • Tracy
  • Victoria

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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