Surname Raiff - Meaning and Origin
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Raiff: What does the surname Raiff mean?
The last name Raiff derives from a variety of sources, with its meaning and origin being heavily debated. Some sources suggest that it is derived from the French last name Raff or Raffe, which has several suggested meanings. For instance, Raff could mean loud, a short form of the old French phrase "raffour," or an alteration of the Old German word "Raphael," meaning "God has healed." Alternatively, others believe it is derived from the Old German word "Rauf," and could potentially mean excited, daring, or bold.
The Raiff surname has also been connected to a legendary 10th-century Palatine count who had a home in the Bavarian Forest and eventually settled in what is now western Germany. It is likely that people of his family adopted the surname in this region, continuing to use it throughout the centuries.
The first recorded reference of the name in the United States can be traced to the early 1700s, mostly among settlers of German and Dutch origins in Pennsylvania. Today, the last name Raiff continues to exist in the US, primarily among those of German descent.
Order DNA origin analysisRaiff: Where does the name Raiff come from?
The last name Raiff is most commonly found in Germany, with an estimated 25,000 people sharing this surname. This is in addition to people bearing the Raiff name in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, France, and the United States, amongst others.
In the United States specifically, the Raiff surname appears throughout the Midwest and the Northeast regions, with its highest concentration found in the state of Pennsylvania, where almost 1,000 people with the surname Raiff make their home. The majority of those living in Pennsylvania with the Raiff name are of German-American descent, and the Raiff name can also be found in Illinois, Ohio, and New York.
In Germany, the Raiff surname is most predominantly found in the western portion of the country, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. The city of Frankfurt, a large financial hub in Germany, is home to a number of citizens who bear the Raiff name, and in nearby cities of Berlin and Munich, there are also individuals carrying the surname.
A large collection of Raiff families also makes their home in the United Kingdom mainly in London and Hampshire, and additional Raiffs can also be found in various countries around the world - such as India, Indonesia, Canada, Sweden, and Israel.
Variations of the surname Raiff
The surname Raiff can have multiple variants and spellings depending on the origin of the family. Common variants likely derive from Raif or Raf, an Old German name, and so could include Raff, Raffe, Rafe, Rapp, Raft, Rafft, Rauf, Raffel, Rof, Riffe, Raiffert, Raifler, Raffenstein, and Ruff.
In Italian, the surname could be derived from the word rifo, referencing a thorny shrub. Possible variants are Ref, Riff, Rif, Riffo, Riffi, Riffeo, and Rifeo.
In Poland, the surname can be derived from the word rój, which means swarm, and so can have variants like Roj, Roi, Roy, Royce, Royz, Roiz, Roizman, Roizel, Roizner, Roizen, Roizner, Roizenthal.
In England, it likely derives from the word Raif and has variants like Raph, Rafe, Raffel, Raves, Ravese and Rauf.
In France, it likely comes from the word Raif, and possible variants include Raph, Rafe, Raff, Raffel, Raves, Ravese, Rauff, Raufe, Rauph, Ravaux, Raffonneau, and Rafflin.
Finally, in Spain, it could also come from the word Raif and have variants such as Rap, Rafe, Raffin, Ravas, Ravez, Ravse, Ravas, Rafo, Rafon, and Raffon.
Famous people with the name Raiff
- Evan Raiff, American Actor
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- Rachel Raiff, American Actress
- Ronnie Raiff, American Football Player
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- Estelle Raiff, American Actress
- Don Raiff, Screenwriter
- Dave Raiff, American Football Coach
- Adrian Raiff, American Singer and Songwriter
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- Carmen Raiff, American Artist
- William Raiff, Amateur Wrestler
- Eileen Raiff, American Actress
- Gary Raiff, Professional Boxer
- Alex Raiff, Professional Football Player
- Irene Raiff, Gymnast
- Vanna Raiff, Professional Volleyball Player
- Sarah Raiff, American Commercial Pilot