From the first name Ruffino or Rufino, already used in the 5th century. The Latin first name Rufinus derives from the roman family name "Rufus" from "ruber" = red (hair or beard).

E. De Felice, F. De Laurentiis and S. Galantini agree that the surname was formed from the name Ruffino or Rufino, consolidated between the 4th and 5th centuries also by the cult of Saint Rufinus the martyr and the prestige of the Church Father Rufinus of Aquileia.

De Felice specifies that the demonym and then Latin personal name Rufinus —in the medieval period Ruffinus—, of which this name is the continuation, derives from the ancient Roman cognomen Rufus.

De Laurentiis agrees on the etymology and clarifies that Rufus means "red." He notes that the surname is diffused throughout Italy, although with low frequency.

Galantini adds that the surname, at times present with the spellings Rofini and Grofini, is attested in the 18th century in Mosciano Sant'Angelo, introduced there from the Marche locality of Morrovalle.