Swiss
names are used in the country of Switzerland in central Europe.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Ritz GermanFrom a short form of the personal name
Rizo, itself derived in part from
Richard and in part from
Heinrich (see
Henry).
Rivabella ItalianDerived from the Italian word
riva meaning "bank (shore, riverbank, lakebank)" (from Latin
ripa) and
bella meaning "beautiful"... [
more]
Rivard FrenchGeographical name for someone who lived on a river bank.
Rivett English, FrenchEnglish (East Anglia): metonymic occupational name for a metalworker, from Middle English, Old French
rivet ‘small nail or bolt’ (from Old French
river ‘to fix or secure’, of unknown origin).... [
more]
Rix Germangiven to a person who resided near a hill, stream, church, or tree
Roascio Italian (Rare)Derived from
Roascio, the name of a municipality in the province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region of Italy. The meaning of the municipality's name is uncertain, but since it is located in Piedmont and known as
Roass in the Piedmontese language, the etymological origin of the name is most likely Piedmontese... [
more]
Roasio ItalianThis surname originates from the Piedmont region of Italy. It is most likely derived from
Roasio, which is the name of a municipality in that same region. The meaning of the municipality's name is uncertain, but since it is located in Piedmont and known as
Roaso in the Piedmontese language, the etymological origin of the name is most likely Piedmontese... [
more]
Robben French, DutchIt is a French surname that was originally derived from the Germanic name
Robert, which is composed of the elements hrod, meaning famous, and berht, meaning bright.
Robineau Frenchderived from the Old French word "
robine", which was the word that was used for the communication channel of a salted fountain or barrel pond... [
more]
Robinet FrenchDerived from the medieval French masculine given name
Robinet, which was a diminutive (as the
-et suffix indicates) of the given name
Robin.... [
more]
Rochefort FrenchFrom various places called Rochefort meaning strong castle.
Rocher FrenchFrom French
roche, meaning "rock'. It indicates a person who worked at a quarry.
Rockefeller GermanMeans "from Rockenfeld." Some famous bearers include founder of the Standard Oil Company and philanthropist John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937), and 41st Vice President of the U.S.A. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908-1979).
Rockett FrenchFrom the French "la roche," or "of the rock." Some family histories trace this back to French Hugenots (sp) who immigrated to England in the 1500's from the Normandy region of France.
Rockman GermanPossibly a habitational name for someone from Rockau in Thuringia.
Rodia ItalianHabitational name from Rodia, a locality in Messina, Sicily.
Rodino ItalianPossibly from the medieval Latin name Rodinus, or Germanic Hrodhari, from
hroþi "fame, glory" and
Hari "battle".
Rohme GermanFrom the Germanic personal name
Ruom (Old High German
hruom ‘fame’), a short form of
Ruombald and similar personal names containing this element.
Rohr German, JewishTopographic name for someone who lived in an area thickly grown with reeds, from Middle High German
ror. Also a habitational name from one of the several places named with this word.
Rohrbach German, German (Swiss)German and Swiss German: habitational name from any of numerous places called Rohrbach (‘reed brook’ or ‘channel brook’) in many parts of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is a common surname in Pennsylvania.
Roland French, German, ScottishFrench, German, English, and Scottish: from a Germanic personal name composed
hrod ‘renown’ +
-nand ‘bold’, assimilated to
-lant ‘land’. (Compare
Rowland).... [
more]
Rolfs GermanThis surname means "son of
Rolf," a patronymic surname from northern Germany.
Roll Upper German, German, EnglishGerman: from Middle High German
rolle,
rulle ‘roll’, ‘list’, possibly applied as a metonymic occupational name for a scribe.... [
more]
Romana Catalan, French, Italian, Polish, English (Rare), German, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, BelarusianFrom the feminine form of the Latin personal name
Romanus, which originally meant "Roman".
Rommel Upper German, DutchNickname for an obstreperous person, from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch
rummeln,
rumpeln to make a noise, create a disturbance (of imitative origin). Variant of
Rummel.
Rondelli Italian, English, FrenchFrom the medieval name "Rondello" derived from French "rondel" meaning "go around, round" or "rondel", a French old nickname for a round, plump man.
Ronnenberg German (Germanized, Rare)Ronnenberg is a German town in the region of Hannover in Niedersachsen. It consists of 7 areas: Benthe, Empelde, Ihme-Roloven, Linderte, Ronnenberg, Vörie and Weetzen. The town is known for the Church named Michaelis from the 12th century.... [
more]
Röntgen GermanMeaning uncertain. This was the name of German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923) who discovered and studied x-rays. Röntgen called the radiation "X" because it was an unknown type of radiation.
Roos Estonian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, German (Swiss), Low GermanMeans "rose" in Estonian and Dutch. Swedish and Danish variant of
Ros, also meaning "rose". This could be a locational name for someone living near roses, an occupational name for someone who grew roses, or a nickname for someone with reddish skin.
Roppolo ItalianPerhaps a derivative of
Roppo, a given name of Germanic origin.
Rosamel FrenchA French surname turned Spanish masculine given name, Rosamel likely derives from the combination of
rose + Greek
mel “honey”. As a surname, it was borne by a 19th century French naval officer with the wonderful name of Claude Charles Marie du Campe
de Rosamel.
Rosano Italianrosa meaning pink. Could also be indicative of a location known for or possessing roses.
Rosemeyer GermanDerived from the Middle High German
rose meaning "rose" and
meier meaning "(tenant) farmer steward". This is a German nickname and distinguishing name for a farmer who grew or liked roses.
Rosenbaum German, CzechHabitational name for someone who lived at a house distinguished by the sign of a rosebush, Middle High German
rōsenboum.
Rosenthal German, Jewishname for any of numerous places named rosenthal or rosendahl. means " rose valley"
Roser GermanGerman: topographic name for "someone who lived at a place where wild roses grew" (see Rose 1), with the suffix -er denoting an inhabitant.German (Röser): habitational name from places called Rös, Roes, or Rösa in Bavaria, Rhineland, and Saxony, or a variant of Rosser.Swiss German (Röser): from a short form of a Germanic personal name based on hrod "renown".English: "unexplained".
Rosier FrenchFrench for "rose tree" or "rose bush". A common surname in Francophone areas. It is also the name of a fallen angel who was considered the patron demon of tainted love and seduction.
Rosing German1 German and Dutch: patronymic from a derivative of the medieval personal name Rozinus.... [
more]
Rosmarin GermanAccording to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary and Latin dictonaries the name Rosmarin derives from the Latin words 'ros' ('dew' or 'tear') and 'marin' ('sea')... [
more]
Rosseau French, AmericanVariant spelling of
Rousseau. Comes from the Old French word
rous meaning "red", likely a nickname for someone with red hair or a particularly rosy complexion.
Rossignol FrenchMeans "nightingale" in French, used as a nickname for person with a good singing voice, or ironically, for a raucous person.
Rosso ItalianDerived from the Italian word
rosso meaning "red". It was used as a nickname for people with red hair or that used to wear in red.
Rost GermanFrom a nickname for a red-haired person, from Middle High German
rost meaning ‘rust’.
Rost GermanA metonymic occupational name for a limeburner or blacksmith, from Middle High German, Middle Low German
rōst meaning ‘grate, grill’ or Middle High German
rōst(e) meaning ‘fire, embers, pyre, grate’ (typically one for burning lime).
Roszhart GermanThe original spelling of the name is Roßhart. Roß means "horse" and hart means "hard" in German. The name was changed when the family immigrated to the United States in the 1850's. Some took on the name "Rosshart", and some "Roszhart" as the ß has the "sss" sound.
Rota ItalianMeans "wheel" in Italian, from various place names.
Rothfus GermanMiddle High German rot "red" + vuoz "foot", a nickname for someone who followed the fashion for shoes made from a type of fine reddish leather. Or a variant of
Rotfuchs, from the Middle Low German form fos "fox", a nickname for a clever person.
Rothfuss GermanVariant spelling of
Rothfus. A notable bearer is Patrick Rothfuss (1973-), an American author of epic fantasy.
Rott GermanAs far as I've researched the name dates back to a man by the name of Count Palatine Kuno von Rott (~1083). After he got land from the Pfalzfrafs which seem to be a nobile family line.... [
more]
Rotter GermanVariant spelling of Rother, an occupational name for the foreman or leader of a group or association of men, or a work gang, from an agent derivative of Middle High German rotte ‘team’, ‘gang’... [
more]
Rottscheit GermanModernization of Rotscheidt, also a city in Germany (Rottscheidt) bearing another modern alternate spelling. When broken down it ultimately means "red" and "piece of wood", implying that the families of today descends from woodwrokers.
Rouen FrenchFrom the other broad category of surnames that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. ... Ruen is a place-name from in Rouen, the capital of Normandy... [
more]
Rouge FrenchNickname for someone with a ruddy complexion.
Rougeau FrenchDiminutive of
Rouge, a nickname for someone with a ruddy complexion.
Rouget FrenchDerived from the French adjective
rouge meaning "red" combined with the French masculine diminutive suffix
-et.
Röver GermanThis surname was originally used as a derogative nickname for an unscrupulous individual, from Middle Low German
rover meaning "pirate, robber."
Rover English, German (Anglicized)This surname is derived from Middle English
roof (from Old English
hrof) combined with the agent suffix
(i)er, which denotes someone who does/works with something. Thus, the surname was originally used for a constructor or repairer of roofs.... [
more]
Röwekamp GermanFrom old German
röwe meaning "lion" and
kamp meaning "fighter". Perhaps named for someone who's brave.
Rozelle FrenchBeautiful flower from France brought over by an immigrant named Page Rozelle. People said when she said something nice or touched you, good luck would come to you.
Rubino ItalianThe surname Rubino derives from the name Rubino, in turn originated from the Latin term "Rubeus" (red) with evident reference to the well-known precious stone. It is thought that originally the surname was attributed to the physical characteristics of having red hair, however, the origin of the surname Rubino from the Hebrew term "Ruben" which meant "son of providence", or even from the apheresis of the name "Cherubino".
Rucci ItalianPatronymic from the personal name
Ruccio, from a short form of various pet names formed with this suffix, as for example Gasparuccio (from Gaspari) or Baldassaruccio (from Baldasare).
Ruch German (Swiss)It was originally a nickname for a greedy person, from Middle High German ruoch ‘eager,’ ‘intent.’... [
more]
Rucker GermanMiddle High German: nickname
rucken "to move or draw". North German: nickname from Middle Low German rucker "thief", "greedy or acquisitive person". German: from a reduced form of the Germanic personal name
Rudiger... [
more]
Rückmann GermanFrom a Germanic personal name based on
hrok "intent", "eager" (Old High German
ruoh).
Rudolf GermanFrom a personal name composed of Old High German
hrōd "renown" and
wolf "wolf", equivalent to English
Ralph. This name is also found in Slovenia.
Rue FrenchThe name Rue dates back to the days of Medieval France, in the region of Normandy. It is derived from their residence in Normandy. However, the name Ruell is derived from the Old French word ruelle, meaning lane or alley, and indicates that the original bearer lived in such a place... [
more]
Rueger GermanThe name was likely first bestowed on someone thought to have the characteristics of a heron as a nickname, eventually becoming a hereditary surname.
Ruelas FrenchA last name common in Mexico which is believed to have derived from the French word ruelle (or Portuguese word ruela) meaning lane or alley.
Ruetten German(Rütten): from a field name, here showing an inflected form from a full name like aus den Rütten ‘from the clearing(s)’ (see
Rutten and
Reuter 1 Ruffy SwissFrom a either of two places so named in Marne only one of which (in Vertus) still exists. Known bearers of this surname include the Swiss politician Eugène Ruffy (1854-1919), and Swiss politician Victor Ruffy (1823-1869).
Ruge GermanNickname from Middle High German
ruowe,
ruge ‘quiet’, ‘calm’ or Low German
rug ‘rough’, ‘crude’.... [
more]
Rugh GermanA variant of the Alsacian German (and probably Swiss before that) Ruch. Also a variant of the Danish Rügh (not related as far as is known)
Ruhe GermanVariant of
Ruge. (
Rühe) is also a nickname from
Rüde ‘hound.’ Habitational name from places named Rühen, Rüden, Rhüden in northern Germany.
Ruhr GermanName given to a person who lived near the Ruhr River in Germany.
Ruisard French (Rare, ?)Originated as a result of trade between France and the Persian Empires before the Iranian Revolution, probably during the Safavid Dynasty. The surname has its roots in the Persian
Riahi surname and the Arabic word رِيح (rīḥ) meaning "wind" and the Persian word “sered” before it was altered to fit French spelling rules.... [
more]
Rumfelt German, DutchAltered spelling of German
Romfeld, derived from Middle Low German
rüm- meaning "to clear (land)" and
feld meaning "open country, field", hence a topographic name or possibly a metonymic occupational name for a person engaged in clearing woodland, or in some cases a habitational name for someone from
Romfelt in the Ardennes... [
more]
Rummenigge GermanMeaning uncertain. It could possibly be an occupational name for a viticulturist who grew grapes to make wine, a seller or producer of Romanian wine, or a nickname for a person who preferred to drink Romanian wine... [
more]
Rumple GermanIt is derived from Rumbald, an Old German personal name.
Rumschlag GermanThis name is possibly a derivative of the
German word for "envelope" which is spelled 'Umschlag'.
Rumsfeld GermanVariant spelling of
Rumfelt. A notable bearer was the American politician, businessman and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (1932-2021).
Runge GermanFrom the old word "runga", meaning stick or whip
Ruotina ItalianMeans "wheel" in Italian. This meant that a bearer of this surname was a wheel maker.
Rusch GermanDerived from Middle High German and Middle Low German
rusch "rush reeds".
Rusher German (Americanized)Americanized version of the German surname Rüscher or Roshcer. Either a topographic name for someone who lived among rushes or an occupational name for someone who created things out of rushes.
Ruth English, German (Swiss)English: from Middle English reuthe ‘pity’ (a derivative of rewen to pity, Old English hreowan) nickname for a charitable person or for a pitiable one. Not related to the given name in this case.... [
more]
Ryne German (Swiss)Respelling of Swiss German
Rhyn, a topographic name for someone living on the Rhine river, Middle High German
Rin.
Sabat FrenchNickname for a noisy, rowdy person, from Middle French
sab(b)at "noise", "racket".