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![Show Contents]() Ralf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Ralf is derived from the Old Norse given name Randolph, which itself comes from the Old German words, "rad," meaning "counsel," and "wolf," meaning "wolf." Early Origins of the Ralf familyThe surname Ralf was first found in Herefordshire where Ralph the Timid, the Earl of Hereford (died 1057) held lands and estates. Apparently, "he was in command there in July 1049, when a force of pirates from Ireland and Welsh under Gruffydd ab Rhydderch invaded the shire. He fled before them, leaving Worcester to be burnt by the invaders, and gaining for himself the appellation of 'the timid earl.' 1 Gaulder or Wader Ralph, the Earl of Norfolk (fl. 1070) was son of Ralph the Staller (d. 1066). "This Ralph is frequently referred to in Domesday Book as having held various estates, and is twice mentioned as 'Radulfus comes vetus', and on one other occasion as 'Radulfus Stalra' and father of Ralph Guader. It is evident, therefore, that Ralph the Staller was himself an earl, probably in East Anglia, perhaps as a subordinate of Gyrth." 1 RALPH of Toesny (d. 1102), was a Norman Baron who came in the female line of the stock of Malahulc, uncle of Rollo, the conqueror of Normandy and Ralph d'Escures, sometimes called Ralph de Turbine (d. 1122), was Archbishop of Canterbury. Ralph, Radulf, Ranulf, or Randulf (d. 1123), was chancellor, was a chaplain or clerk of Henry I, and became chancellor in 1107-1108. Early History of the Ralf familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ralf research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1205, 1232, 1705 and 1762 are included under the topic Early Ralf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ralf Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Ralph, Rolph, Rolfe, Rafe, Raff, Ralf, Ralfe and others. Early Notables of the Ralf familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ralf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Ralf family to Ireland
Some of the Ralf family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ralf familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Elizabeth Rolfe who settled in Virginia in 1623; along with James her husband, John and Thomas; Marcus Rolfe settled in New Jersey in 1773; Henry Rolfe settled in New England in 1630.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Ralf (post 1700) | + |
- Ralf Wolter (1926-2022), German stage and screen actor who appeared in nearly 220 films and television series in his over 60 years as a character actor
- Ralf "Bummi" Bursy (1956-2022), East German-born, German pop and rock singer and music producer
- Ralf Hütter (b. 1946), German musician and composer best known as the lead singer, keyboardist, founding member and leader of Kraftwerk
- Ralf Waldmann (1966-2018), German Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who had 50 wins; he died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 51
- Ralf Bödeker (b. 1958), former German footballer
- Ralf Wienand (b. 1963), West German sprint canoer at the 1984 Summer Olympics
- Ralf Popken (b. 1962), German countertenor
- Ralf Salzmann (b. 1955), German former long-distance Olympic runner who competed in the 1980s
- Ralf Sonn (b. 1967), retired German high jumper
- Ralf Tyra (b. 1958), German Lutheran theologian and pastor
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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England
Germany
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Ireland
