The uncommon English surname Rolfe derives ultimately from the Old Scandinavian and Germanic pre 5th century personal name "Hrodwulf". This was composed of the elements ''hrod'', meaning "renown", and ''wulf'', a wolf. In Norse the contracted form was ''Hrolfr'', in Danish and Swedish ''Rolf'', and it is said that these personal names reached England first through their popularity with Scandinavian settlers before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Normans thereafter introduced their own form of the name, generally found as "Rou" or "Roul" and often Latinised as "Rollo". Notable people with the surname include: *

B. A. Rolfe Benjamin Albert Rolfe (October 24, 1879 – April 23, 1956) was an American musician known as "The Boy Trumpet Wonder" who went on to be a bandleader, recording artist, radio personality, and film producer. Biography He was born on October 24, ...

(1879–1956), American musician, bandleader, radio personality, and film producer * Chris Rolfe, American soccer player * Frank Rolfe, American owner of trailer parks *

Frederick Rolfe Frederick William Rolfe (surname pronounced ), better known as Baron Corvo (Italian for "Crow"), and also calling himself Frederick William Serafino Austin Lewis Mary Rolfe (22 July 1860 – 25 October 1913), was an English writer, artist, ph ...

(1860–1913), also known as "Baron Corvo", British writer and photographer *

Guy Rolfe Guy Rolfe (born Edwin Arthur Rolfe, 27 December 1911 – 19 October 2003) was a British character actor. He was best known for portraying villains. Early life Born in Kilburn, London, Edwin Arthur "Guy" Rolfe was descended from Thomas Rolfe, ...

, English actor *

James Rolfe (composer) James Simon Rolfe (born 1961) is a Canadian composer of contemporary music. Early life and education Rolfe was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He studied composition with John Beckwith (composer), John Beckwith at the University of Toronto and Jo Ko ...

(born 1961), Canadian composer *

James Rolfe James D. Rolfe (born July 10, 1980) is an American YouTuber, filmmaker and actor. He is best known for creating and starring in the comedic retrogaming web series, ''Angry Video Game Nerd'' (2004–present). His spin-off projects include review ...

(born 1980), American YouTuber, filmmaker, and actor * John Rolfe (disambiguation), several people *

John Carew Rolfe John Carew Rolfe, Ph.D. (October 15, 1859 in Newburyport, Massachusetts – March 26, 1943) was an American classical scholar, the son of William J. Rolfe. Rolfe graduated from Harvard University in 1881 and from Cornell University (Ph.D.) ...

, American classicist *

Lilian Rolfe Lilian Vera Rolfe, (26 April 1914 – 5 February 1945), code name Nadine, was an agent of the United Kingdom's clandestine Special Operations Executive (SOE) organisation in France during World War II. The purpose of SOE was to conduct espionage ...

, French World War II spy * Louis Rolfe, British track cyclist * Louisa Rolfe, British senior police officer *

Red Rolfe Robert Abial "Red" Rolfe (October 17, 1908 – July 8, 1969) was an American baseball third baseman, manager (baseball), manager and front-office executive in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the New York Yankees from 1931 to 194 ...

, American baseball player * Rob Rolfe, drummer in English post-hardcore band Enter Shikari *

Robert Allen Rolfe Robert Allen Rolfe (1855, Wilford, Nottinghamshire – 1921, Richmond, London, Richmond, Surrey) was an English botanist specialising in the study of orchids. For a time he worked in the gardens at Welbeck Abbey. He entered Kew in 1879 and became ...

(1855–1921), British botanist *

Thomas Rolfe Thomas Rolfe (January 30, 1615 – ) was the only child of Pocahontas and her English husband, John Rolfe. His maternal grandfather was Chief Powhatan, the leader of the Powhatan tribe in Virginia. Early life Thomas Rolfe was born in the English ...

, child of Lady Rebecca and John Rolfe *

William James Rolfe William James Rolfe, Litt.D. (December 10, 1827 – July 7, 1910) was an American educator and Shakespearean scholar. Early life and education Rolfe was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on December 10, 1827, son of John Rolfe, of a family "set ...

(1827–1910), American Shakespearean scholar

References

{{surname Surnames from given names

See also

References