Roaf
Derived from the Old English word hrop, meaning "roof" or "roofmaker."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Roaf. That puts it at #105,600 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Roaf surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#105,600
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
169
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 169 bearers of the surname Roaf in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 105600th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Roaf, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (37.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Roaf
The surname Roaf is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "hróf," meaning roof or roof-top. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent roof or rooftop structure.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the late 12th century in various English counties, particularly in the Midlands and the North. One of the earliest mentions is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a person named Robertus Rof is mentioned.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Rof, Roffe, and Rouf, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that time. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 mention a William Rof in Oxfordshire.
The surname Roaf is associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest was John Rofe (c. 1425 - 1500), an English cleric and academic who served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1489 to 1500.
In the 17th century, William Roaf (1617 - 1678) was a prominent English merchant and landowner in Oxfordshire. He played a significant role in the local community and served as a Justice of the Peace.
The 18th century saw the birth of Samuel Roaf (1738 - 1812), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Freemasons' Hall on Great Queen Street.
In the 19th century, James Roaf (1808 - 1891) was a renowned English engineer who contributed significantly to the development of steam engines and railway technology. He held several patents and worked for prominent companies such as the London and North Western Railway.
Another notable figure was Sir Robert Roaf (1880 - 1958), a British physician and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the study of respiratory diseases and tuberculosis. He served as the President of the Royal College of Physicians from 1947 to 1953.
While the surname Roaf is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history and has been associated with individuals who have made valuable contributions across various fields, including academia, architecture, engineering, and medicine.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Roaf
Among Census respondents with the surname Roaf, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (37.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Roaf bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Roaf surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White59.2%
- Black or African American37.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Roaf surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #105,600 | #105,600 | 0.0% |
| Count | 169 | 169 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Roaf bearers went from 169 to 169 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #105,600 to #105,600.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Roaf
FAQ
Roaf surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Roaf?
The surname Roaf holds position #105,600 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Roaf surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Roaf, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.2%. The next largest groups are Black (37.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.