rauh

Rauh is a surname of German origin. In German, rauh means rough or coarse, and as a surname it is typically traced to either a descriptive nickname for a rugged or blunt person or to a habitational or topographic source describing harsh terrain. The spelling Rauh is used in Germany and among German-speaking communities elsewhere.

Origins and distribution: The name appears in historical records in German-speaking regions and in diaspora communities formed by German emigration. Today, Rauh is found in Germany and Austria, as well as among populations with German heritage in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, reflecting patterns of migration and settlement.

Etymology and related forms: As a word, rauh functions as an adjective meaning rough or coarse. Surnames derived from such descriptors are common in German naming traditions, and Rauh may be related to or distinct from similar names such as Rausch or Rau, which have separate lineages.

Usage: Because it is a surname, individuals named Rauh have pursued a wide range of professions across different countries and periods. The name does not correspond to a single notable figure or defined lineage, but rather to multiple family lines that share the same surname.

See also: The adjective rauh appears in German vocabulary to describe texture, sound, or appearance that is rough or harsh.