Rohrer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Rohrer comes from Prussia, a historic region that originally encompassed the coastal lands of the southeast Baltic, but over time expanded to include much of Poland and the majority of Germany. In pre-medieval times, these Prussians used only one name, but later they were forced by a growing population to adopt hereditary surnames so that they would remain distinct from the many others with the same first name. Local names were often chosen. They originally indicated land ownership, and frequently carried the prefix von, meaning "of" or "from", which is often taken as an indication of aristocratic lineage. Rohrer was a name for some one lived in Brandenburg-Prussia.

Early Origins of the Rohrer family

The surname Rohrer was first found in Brandenburg, where the name could be considered to have made a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of modern Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts, with each group seeking power and status in an ever changing territorial profile. Chronicles first mention Albrecht Rorer, or Albrecht "from the Ror," who was born in Eger in Bohemia around 1330.

Early History of the Rohrer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rohrer research. Another 250 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1314, 1381, 1400, 1672, 1674, 1757, 1800 and 1839 are included under the topic Early Rohrer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rohrer Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Rohrer include Rohre, Roehr, Roehrer, Rohrer, Rorer, Ror, Rore, Roar, Roare, Rhor, Rhore, Rorau (Silesia), Rohr, Roer, Roeher and many more.

Early Notables of the Rohrer family

More information is included under the topic Early Rohrer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rohrer Ranking

In the United States, the name Rohrer is the 7,305^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Rohrer migration to the United States +

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Rohrers to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Rohrer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Rohrer, who arrived in America in 1731 2
Johann Gottfried Rohrer, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 2
Johannes Rohrer, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 2
Friederich Rohrer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1747 2
Joggi Rohrer, who arrived in America in 1749 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rohrer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Martin Rohrer, aged 30, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 2
Katharina Rohrer, who landed in America in 1855 2

Rohrer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rohrer Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Benjamin Rohrer, aged 2, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Christine Rohrer, aged 50, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Jacob Rohrer, aged 11, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Johann Rohrer, aged 51, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
Magdalena Rohrer, aged 15, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rohrer (post 1700) +

Jason Rohrer (b. 1977), American computer programmer, writer, musician, and game designer
Matthew Rohrer (b. 1970), American poet
Ben Rohrer (b. 1981), Australian cricketer
Heinrich Rohrer (1933-2013), Swiss physicist who won the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in the development of the electronic microscope in 1986

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)