Summary
The surname RUFF is of English origin. It is believed to have derived from the Middle English word 'ruff', which means 'rough'. The surname may have originally been a nickname for someone with a rough or tough personality. It can also be an occupational surname for someone who worked as a thatcher or roofer. RUFF is a common surname with a rich history.15383
Ruffs in the USA2369th
most common last name in the USAHistorical figures and celebrities called Ruff
DavidRuffin
David Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician who was a member of The Temptations, one of the most successful vocal groups of the 1960s and 1970s.WalterRuff
Walter Ruff was a German physicist who made significant contributions to the field of solid-state physics, particularly in the study of semiconductors.JeanRuffieux
Jean Ruffieux was a Swiss alpine skier who competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics and won a silver medal in the Men's Slalom event.ReggieRuffin
Reggie Ruffin was an American football player who played as a wide receiver for the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL) in the 1980s.IreneRufford
Irene Rufford was a British actress known for her work in British stage productions and her appearances in several British television shows in the 1950s and 1960s.FrankRuffo
Frank Ruffo was an Italian politician who served as the mayor of Milan from 1997 to 2001 and played a key role in the revitalization of the city's urban infrastructure.RachelRuff
Rachel Ruff was an American suffragist and women's rights activist who played a major role in the campaign for women's right to vote in the early 20th century.GeorgeRuffner
George Ruffner was an American entrepreneur and businessman who founded the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve in Birmingham, Alabama, a popular recreational and conservation area.BellaRuff
Bella Ruff was a Russian-born American poet and writer known for her introspective and deeply personal poetry, which often explored themes of love, loss, and identity.PaulRuff
Paul Ruff was a French architect who designed several prominent buildings in Paris, including the Pont de Bir-Hakeim and the Palais de la Porte Dorée.Ruff Genealogy
OriginsThe surname 'Ruff' has English and Scottish origins. It is derived from the Middle English word 'ruffe,' which means 'rough' or 'disordered.' It originally referred to someone with a rough or disorderly appearance or manner.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Ruff' is primarily found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also found in smaller populations in Germany and Switzerland.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Ruff' include 'Roff,' 'Ruffe,' and 'Rough.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Ruff' have migrated and immigrated to various countries throughout history, particularly during periods of British colonization and industrialization.