Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Rohrbacher

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Rohrbacher?

The surname Rohrbacher is of German origin. It is derived from a place name meaning "Rorbach" in Old High German. Rorbach itself is a compound word, with "Ror" possibly referring to a river or brook and "-bach" meaning stream or creek. Therefore, the surname Rohrbacher likely originally belonged to someone who lived near such a watercourse. The use of topographic names, which denote features of the landscape, was common in Medieval Europe and formed an important part of local identities.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rohrbacher

The meaning and origin of the last name Rohrbacher

The surname Rohrbacher is primarily of German origin, with roots tracing back to Medieval Germany. The name is derived from the Old High German language, where 'Ror' means 'row' or 'rush' and 'Bach' signifies 'stream'. Thus, Rohrbacher could be interpreted as someone living near a stream lined with rushes or rows of small shrubs. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have led to several forms of the name across different regions, such as Rorbach, Rorheiser, Rohrbein, among others. The surname Rohrbacher became common among German-speaking populations in Europe during the Middle Ages when feudalism was prominent, and people began to adopt occupational or locative names for easy identification within their communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rohrbacher

The last name Rohrbacher is predominantly found in Central Europe, particularly Germany and Austria. According to FamilyEducation, it originates from the Rhur region in western Germany, indicating its historical roots. A significant number of people with this surname are German-American, as a result of immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is also found in smaller numbers in other European countries like Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic. In North America, the highest concentrations of the Rohrbacher family can be found in states like California, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, which have historically welcomed German immigrants.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rohrbacher

The surname Rohrbacher has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional pronunciations, and the passage of time. Some common variations include: Rohrbacker, Rohrbecher, Rohrbaechler, Rohrbecker, Rohrerbacher, Rorhbacher, Rorbach, Roerbach, Rhorbacher, and Ruhrbacher. These differences mainly arise from the way the name has been transcribed and translated over centuries in various written records, as well as changes in spelling conventions and phonetic variations across regions. Despite these variations, all of these names can be traced back to a common Germanic origin, with Rohrbacher being one of the original forms, derived from 'Ror' (wheel) and 'Bach' (brook or stream).

Famous people with the last name Rohrbacher

Notable individuals sharing the last name Rohrbacher include Thomas J. Rohrbacher and John Rohrabaugh, both prominent figures in American politics. Thomas J. Rohrbacher served as a member of the Washington State Senate for over two decades, representing District 40 from 1973 to 2001. He was known for his advocacy on environmental issues and his opposition to gambling expansion in his state. John Rohrabaugh is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Washington's 3rd congressional district from 1985 to 1999. During his tenure, he served on the Committee on Armed Services and was known for his stance on defense and military spending issues. Both individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields within American politics.

Genealogical research on the last name Rohrbacher

The surname Rohrbacher originates from the German-speaking regions, specifically Switzerland and Southwestern Germany. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "rueb" meaning turnspit or spitjack for roasting meat, and "bach" meaning stream or brook. This suggests that the original bearer of this surname was a butcher who sold his meats near a stream or brook, thus making it easier for customers to find him. The name evolved over time into various spellings, such as Rübacher, Rübbacher, and Rohrbacher, due to variations in regional dialects and scribal errors during record keeping. The family branches of Rohrbacher are known to have settled in various parts of Europe, including Austria, Hungary, and the United States, primarily due to migration and religious conflicts. Notable individuals with this surname include Hermann Rohrbacher, a Swiss ski jumper who won Olympic gold medals in 1928 and 1936, and Eric Rohrbach, an American computer scientist known for his contributions to programming language design and software engineering.

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 Rohaan

Last name • surnames > rohaan

The last name "Rohaan" is of South Asian origin. It is predominantly found in Pakistan and India. It likely has roots in the Urdu or Hindi language and may have historical or cultu...

#2 Rohac

Last name • surnames > rohac

The last name Rohac is of Slovak origin. It is derived from the word "roho," which means "horn" or "peak" in Slovak. The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who liv...

#3 Rohaeta

Last name • surnames > rohaeta

The last name "Rohaeta" is of unknown origin and does not have a specific meaning in English.

#4 Rohaetin

Last name • surnames > rohaetin

The last name Rohaetin is of Indonesian origin.

#5 Rohail

Last name • surnames > rohail

The last name "Rohail" is of Middle Eastern or South Asian origin. It is more commonly found in countries like Pakistan, India, and the surrounding regions. The exact meaning or si...

#6 Rohail gani

Last name • surnames > rohail-gani

The last name Rohail Gani is of Arabic origin. The name "Rohail" means "Travelling" or "Journey" in Arabic, while "Gani" means "Wealthy" or "Affluent."

#7 Rohaim

Last name • surnames > rohaim

The last name "Rohaim" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "al-Ruhaym," which means "the compassionate" or "the merciful." This surname is commonly found in Ara...

#8 Rohak

Last name • surnames > rohak

The last name Rohak is of Czech origin. It is derived from the Czech word "roh" which means "horn" or "antler." It was likely originally used as a surname for someone who lived nea...

#9 Rohald

Last name • surnames > rohald

The last name Rohald is of Norwegian origin. It is a variation of the name Ronald, which comes from the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, derived from the elements "regin" meaning "advice...

#10 Rohaly

Last name • surnames > rohaly

The surname Rohaly is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the personal name Rohal, which itself is of uncertain origin.

#11 Rohan

Last name • surnames > rohan

The surname Rohan originates from France and is of Norman origin. It is derived from a place name, "Rouen," which was the capital of the Duchy of Normandy during the Middle Ages. T...

#12 Rohan ali shah

Last name • surnames > rohan-ali-shah

The last name "Rohan Ali Shah" originates from South Asia, specifically Pakistan. It is a combination of a given name "Rohan" and a family name "Shah," which is a common surname in...

#13 Rohan bharti

Last name • surnames > rohan-bharti

The last name "Rohan Bharti" originated in India. "Rohan" is a Sanskrit name meaning "ascending" or "growing" and is commonly used as a first name in South Asian countries. "Bharti...

#14 Rohan kumar

Last name • surnames > rohan-kumar

The last name Kumar is of Indian origin and is commonly used as a surname in India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "kumara," meaning "prince" or "youth." Rohan is also a comm...

#15 Rohan reji

Last name • surnames > rohan-reji

The last name "Rohan Reji" is of Indian origin. "Rohan" is a Sanskrit name meaning "ascending" or "growing," while "Reji" is likely a variant of the common Indian name "Regi" or "R...