Ratzlaff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Ratzlaff was derived from one of several place names in the German empire, such as Rasch near Nuremberg or Raschau in Saxony. The surname most likely emerged independently in several different kingdoms before it began to branch to still more regions.

Early Origins of the Ratzlaff family

The surname Ratzlaff was first found in Pomerania, where the name could be considered to have made a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of modern Europe. Chronicles first mention Johann Rasche of Stralsund, Pomerania, in 1277, Ruel Rascher of Frankfurt in 1300, and Cunrath Rasch of Allgae, Pomerania in 1361. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts at a time when groups sought power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Ratzlaff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ratzlaff research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the year 1645 is included under the topic Early Ratzlaff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ratzlaff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rasch, Raasch, Rasche, Raschers, Raschig and many more.

Early Notables of the Ratzlaff family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ratzlaff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ratzlaff Ranking

In the United States, the name Ratzlaff is the 11,795^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Ratzlaff migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ratzlaff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Abraham Ratzlaff, aged 24, who arrived in New York, NY in 1874 2
Benjamin Ratzlaff, aged 14, who arrived in Nebraska in 1874 2
Heinrich Ratzlaff, aged 22, who arrived in New York, NY in 1874 2
John Ratzlaff, aged 9, who arrived in Nebraska in 1874 2
Peter Ratzlaff, aged 5, who landed in Nebraska in 1874 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ratzlaff (post 1700) +

Leonard Peter Ratzlaff, Canadian choral conductor for Edmonton's Richard Eaton Singers
Raymond Samuel Ratzlaff, Canadian provincial politician from Alberta, Canada

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)