Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ludolf

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ludolf?

The surname Ludolf is of German origin. It derives from the Old High German name "Hludowald," which means "famous ruler." This name eventually evolved into the Middle High German form "Ludowolt" and then further into the modern German form "Ludolf." Over time, as people with this name immigrated to other countries, variations in spelling arose due to differences in language, transcription, and migration patterns.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ludolf

The meaning and origin of the last name Ludolf

The surname Ludolf is of German origin, derived from a given name composed of the Old High German elements "hudu," meaning battle or fighter, and "wulf," meaning wolf. This name was used as a personal name during the Middle Ages and was later adopted as a surname, similar to many other European names. The name Ludolf became popular in Germany and has been passed down through generations over centuries. It is also found in various forms across different countries due to migration and assimilation, such as Ludewig, Ludwig, and Luud. As with many surnames, its usage spread as people moved from their native regions in search of better opportunities, contributing to its global dispersal.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ludolf

The surname Ludolf is predominantly distributed across Germany and its neighboring regions, reflecting its Germanic origins. Historically, it's most common in areas such as Saxony, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Due to migration and settlement patterns, the name has also spread to other parts of Europe, particularly Switzerland, Austria, and Denmark. In North America, there are notable concentrations among German immigrants, with significant populations in the United States and Canada. Additionally, minor occurrences of the surname can be found in countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil, largely due to diaspora from Germany and other European regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ludolf

The surname Ludolf can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include: Ludolff, Ludolph, Ludolphi, Ludoloff, Ludolphe, Ludolphius, Ludolphi, Ludolphus, Ludolphi, and Ludolp. These variations may have arisen due to differences in regional pronunciation, spelling conventions, or errors during data entry or transcription. It's important to note that while some of these variants may be more common in certain regions or among specific ethnic groups, they are all considered variations of the original surname Ludolf.

Famous people with the last name Ludolf

Ludolf is a relatively uncommon surname, but it has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most renowned individuals with this surname is Hermann Ludwig Ludolf (1630-1680), a German scholar who played a crucial role in introducing Middle Eastern studies to Europe during the Age of Enlightenment. He was particularly known for his work on Arabic literature, translating several key texts and compiling a comprehensive catalog of Arabic authors.

In contemporary times, Ludolf van den Berg (born 1956) is a Dutch visual artist who has gained international recognition for his abstract expressionist paintings that explore themes of chaos, beauty, and emotion. His works have been exhibited in museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Lastly, Ludolf Christian Tieben (1876-1935) was a German chemist who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the areas of alkaloids and aromatic compounds. He published numerous papers on these subjects and mentored several students who went on to become prominent chemists themselves.

Genealogical research on the last name Ludolf

The surname Ludolf originates from Germany and is derived from the Old High German elements "hluot" meaning "famous" or "renowned," and "wolf," denoting either a nickname for a famous warrior or a metaphorical reference to someone bold and courageous like a wolf. The name was first recorded in the 14th century, with one of the earliest known bearers being Conrad Ludolph in the town of Bremen in 1356. The name subsequently spread throughout Germany and migrated to other European countries during population movements, such as the Protestant Reformation. Notable individuals bearing the surname include Ludolf van Ceulen, a Dutch mathematician who calculated pi to 20 decimal places, and Ludolph van Beyma, a Flemish painter active in the late 15th century. Today, Ludolfs can be found worldwide, with significant populations in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Ludaescher

Last name • surnames > ludaescher

The surname Ludaescher is of Swiss German origin. It is derived from the personal name Ludwig, which is composed of the German elements "hilde" meaning "famous warrior" and "ric" m...

#2 Ludal kean

Last name • surnames > ludal-kean

The last name Kean is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name O'Cathain, which means "descendant of Cathan". The name Kean is a variant spelling of the original surname...

#3 Ludana

Last name • surnames > ludana

The last name Ludana appears to have Italian origins. It is likely derived from the personal name Ludano, which is a variant of Ludovico, a Latin name meaning "famous warrior."

#4 Ludarin

Last name • surnames > ludarin

The surname Ludarin is of German origin. This surname is derived from the personal name Lude or Ludo, which is a short form of the Germanic name Ludwig, meaning "famous warrior." O...

#5 Ludba

Last name • surnames > ludba

The last name Ludba is of Polish origin. It is derived from the Polish personal name Łubie, which is a diminutive form of the name Łubomir. This surname is most commonly found in...

#6 Luden

Last name • surnames > luden

The last name "Luden" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German name "Liutwin," which is composed of the elements "liut," meaning "people" or "tribe," and "win...

#7 Ludenia

Last name • surnames > ludenia

The last name Ludenia is of Slavic origin, specifically Polish. It is derived from the personal name Ludwik, which is the Polish form of the name Louis. The surname Ludenia likely ...

#8 Luders

Last name • surnames > luders

The surname Luders is of German origin. It is derived from various place names in Germany that contain the Old High German word "Luder," meaning "young wolf" or "wolf cub." Over ti...

#9 Ludhana

Last name • surnames > ludhana

The last name "Ludhana" is of Indian origin, specifically from the region of Punjab. It is derived from the name of a city in Punjab, Ludhiana, which is a major industrial hub in t...

#10 Ludhani

Last name • surnames > ludhani

The last name "Ludhani" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Gujarati community. It is derived from the name of a place in Gujarat, India called Ludana.

#11 Ludhianvi

Last name • surnames > ludhianvi

The last name "Ludhianvi" is of Punjabi origin, likely deriving from the city of Ludhiana in Punjab, India. It is a common surname among people of Punjabi descent.

#12 Ludlow

Last name • surnames > ludlow

The surname Ludlow is of Old English origin and means "hollow near a wood" or "muddy place". It is derived from two elements: 'hlud' meaning loud or famous, and 'hlawe' or 'holt' m...

#13 Ludostar

Last name • surnames > ludostar

The last name Ludostar does not have a documented origin or meaning in English. It does not appear to be a common or well-known surname.

#14 Ludovico

Last name • surnames > ludovico

The last name "Ludovico" is of Italian origin, derived from the given name "Ludovico," which is the Italian form of the name Louis. Louis is a French name ultimately derived from t...

#15 Ludovino

Last name • surnames > ludovino

The surname Ludovino is a patronymic derived from the given name Ludovico, which is an Italian and Portuguese variant of Ludwig, a Germanic name composed of the elements "hilde" me...