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![Show Contents]() Ralfs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Ralfs 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 Ralfs familyThe surname Ralfs 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 Ralfs familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ralfs research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1205, 1232, 1705 and 1762 are included under the topic Early Ralfs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ralfs Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Ralph, Rolph, Rolfe, Rafe, Raff, Ralf, Ralfe and others. Early Notables of the Ralfs familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ralfs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Ralfs family to Ireland
Some of the Ralfs 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 Ralfs 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 Ralfs (post 1700) | + |
- John Ralfs (1807-1890), English botanist, born at Millbrook, near Southampton, second son of Samuel Ralfs, a yeoman of an old family in Hampshire
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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England
Scotland
Ireland
