Surname Reifart - Meaning and Origin

Reifart: What does the surname Reifart mean?

The last name Reifart is of German origin. It is said to mean “fierce wolf” and is derived from the Middle High German words “Rîf” (fierce) and “Harte” (wolf). The name is translated to mean “fierce protectors” or “defenders of the wolf”. It is believed that the name traces its roots back to the medieval knights and warriors, who were tasked with protecting Medieval Europe from wolves.

The root of the last name can be traced back to the Middle High German regions of Germany, Switzerland, Alsace, and Austria. The name has been used as a name for families in the area since at least the 13th century. In recent decades, the name Reifart has become a popular surname throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

In current usage, the name Reifart is associated with strength and protection and has been used to describe soldiers, protectors, and guardians. Many people choose the last name Reifart for their own because of the fierce protection it implies and the historical significances of ages past. Whether they are protecting their territories, or watching over their loved ones, the Reifart name implies a level of commitment that goes beyond the ordinary. It symbolizes the commitment to protect and puzzles loyalty and honor.

Reifart: Where does the name Reifart come from?

The last name Reifart is widely found throughout Europe, especially in Germany. The earliest known reference to this surname dates back to the 16th century, when it was found in southern Germany. Since then, it has been a common family name among German-speaking countries, including Austria and Switzerland.

The name can also be found in other parts of Europe today, but is especially concentrated in the higher population centers, such as Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.

In the United States, the Reifart name is most often found in communities with German-speaking immigrants, particularly in the mid-west regions. According to the United States Census Bureau, states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois are where the highest numbers of Reifarts can be found.

Outside of traditional German-speaking countries, the Reifart name can also be found in Canada, Australia, Mexico, and South America.

Although the Reifart name is still thriving today, its exact origins remain a mystery. It is believed to have originated with a noble family in the 16th century, however, nothing else is known about it.

Variations of the surname Reifart

The surname Reifart is a German name that is derived from the Low German language and is originally spelled as "Reifhard." It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from one's father's given name. The English variants include Reeve, Reif, Reifsnyder, Reiff, Reyfert, Ryefart,Reevs, Reifschneider,Reifhart, Reifenberger and Reifsneider.

The Reifart surname is most commonly found in the southwestern region of Germany where more than 2,000 people currently bear the name. In addition to being found in Germany, it is also widely distributed in Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Due to the connection of the surname to the Low German language, it is not uncommon to find the variations of Reifart, Reeve, Reiff, Reifsnyder, Ryefart,Reevs, Reifschneider,Reifhart, Reifenberger and Reifsneider in other parts of Europe. In the United States, the surname Reifart is relatively rare but there are still people bearing the variant spellings.

Reifart is also known as Rheiffart and Royfart in other parts of Europe, while Reeve, Ryefart and Reevs are popular variations in the US. In some cases, the name Reifart has also been anglicized to Rice, Reece, or Reese.

Famous people with the name Reifart

• Max Reifart: Max Reifart is a former German professional football player. He played as a defender and spent most of his career playing for 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
• Yannick Reifart: Yannick Reifart is a French rugby union player who plays for the Castres Olympique club.
• Rainer Reifart: Rainer Reifart is a former German football player, manager, and coach. He played for TuS Mayen and Mangfalltal-Ost at club level and also won caps for West Germany.
• Corry Reifart: Corry Reifart is a German social justice activist, public speaker, and author. She is known for promoting environmental issues and human rights at events all over the world.
• Hildegard Reifart: Hildegard Reifart is a German biochemist and immunologist. She is a professor at the Institute for Immunology at the University of Regensburg and has received numerous awards for her research in cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
• Felix Reifart: Felix Reifart is a German film director and writer. He has written and directed two feature length films, as well as a selection of short films.
• Volkmar Reifart: Volkmar Reifart is a German sculptor, specializing in marble, granite, and bronze sculptures. He is known for his public sculptures, religious construction projects, and architectural monuments.
• Robert Reifart: Robert Reifart was a German art historian and professor at the University of Würzburg. He wrote numerous books on the history of art and architecture.
• Johann Reifart: Johann Reifart was a German composer and music teacher, best known for his opera Der Feuervogel.
• Jürgen Reifart: Jürgen Reifart is a German contemporary painter, working mainly in abstract and geometric painting styles. He has held multiple solo exhibitions in and outside of Germany.

Other surnames

ReifardtReifarth