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![Show Contents]() Ralf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Scotland were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Scottish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Ralf is derived from the Old Norse given name Randolph, which itself comes from the Old German words, rat, meaning counsel, and wolf, meaning wolf. Early Origins of the Ralf familyThe surname Ralf was first found in the town of Nairn in Nairnshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Narann) in northern Scotland, today part of the Council Area of Highland, where they are thought to have arrived well before the invasion of Britain of Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D. One of the first records of the family was Ralph (died 1144), Bishop of Orkney, whose name usually appears as Ralph Nowell, a native of York, where he became a priest. "York writers assert that, apparently about 1110, Ralph was elected (by men of the Orkneys) to the bishopric of the islands in the church of St. Peter at York." 1 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 and 1452 are included under the topic Early Ralf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ralf Spelling VariationsThe frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Ralf has also been spelled Ralph, Rolph, Rolfe and others. Early Notables of the Ralf familyAnother 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ralf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ralf familySome of the first North American settlers with Ralf name or one of its variants: Elizabeth Rolfe who settled in Virginia in 1623; along with James her husband, John and Thomas; Marcus Rolfe settled in New Jersey in 1773; William Rolph settled in Maryland in 1774.
| 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
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Cresco crescendeo
Motto Translation: I increase by increasing.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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