Surname Reiferscheidt - Meaning and Origin

Reiferscheidt: What does the surname Reiferscheidt mean?

The surname Reiferscheidt is a German name. It originates from the Middle High German word rivern (to assemble) and scheit (County of the Holy Roman Empire). The name could have been applied to a prominent family in the region during the Middle Ages.

Alternatively, it could also originate from the small town of Reiferscheid in present-day Germany. The town has existed since the Middle Ages and served as an agricultural and trading center, so the name may have been applied to a prominent local family of traders. The modern version of the name is Rheifersheidt.

The name Reiferscheidt has become popular in places other than Germany, such as the United States. In many places, the name can also be spelled Reifferscheidt, Reifferscheid, or Reifersheidt.

The name Reiferscheidt is an indication of a family's long history and lineage, likely dating back to the Middle Ages. It encompasses a sense of tradition and also a strong connection to one's German roots. Through the generations, Reiferscheids have prided themselves on their sense of family loyalty and hard work. It is likely that the Reiferscheidt's were respected within their communities and that this respect has continued to this day.

Reiferscheidt: Where does the name Reiferscheidt come from?

The last name Reiferscheidt is commonly found in both Germany and the United States today. In Germany, Reiferscheidt is most prevalent in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. There, it is the 489th most common surname, with approximately 674 individuals having the name. Reiferscheidt is also fairly common in the neighboring states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria, consistently ranking in the top 5,000 most common surnames.

In the United States, Reiferscheidt has become a particularly popular last name within the past two centuries. Today, it is estimated that approximately 2,500 individuals across the country have the Reiferscheidt surname. It is most prominent in the states of Ohio and Minnesota, where it ranks as the 4,642nd most common surname and the 325th most common surname respectively. It is also fairly common in Wisconsin, Texas, Indiana, and Virginia, consistently ranking within the top 10,000 most common surnames in those states.

Though the origins of the Reiferscheidt surname are uncertain, it is likely that it was first used by a family in the German region of the Rhineland during the early 14th century. As families bearing the Reiferscheidt name began migrating, their surname spread across the world. Today, the surname is found in many countries, both large and small, but is still most commonly found in Germany and the United States.

Variations of the surname Reiferscheidt

The Reiferscheidt surname in its most basic form can be found spelled as Reiferscheidt, Reifferscheidt, Reiferschedt, Referscheidt, Referschedt, Refersschedt, Refersshedt, Resultschedt, Reyperschedt, Reyerscheidt, Reifersheidt, Refersheidt, Reifersschiedt, Reiffersschiedt, Reifferschiedt, Reiffersledt, Reifersschlet, Reiferssledt, Reyferscheidt, Reyfferschiedt and Reiferscheit.

In some instances, the surname spelling can be further lengthened to include the suffix ‘erscheidt’, resulting in the spellings Reiferscheiderscheidt, Referscheiderscheidt and Reiferschellerscheidt.

Variations of the surname that have been adopted by descendants over many generations include Reifer, Reiffer, Reifers, Refers, Reverschiedt, Reiperscheid, Reifescheid, Roeferscheidt, Ropperscheidt, Roterscheidt, Roifferscheid, Ripersheid, Reiffershied, Reiffershaid, Refersheid, Reifscheld, Reifersschoelt and Reifersched.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can vary from region to region and due to the diverse nature of migration, can even change across language barriers such as from German to English or from Dutch to German. It is possible to encounter several spellings of the same surname, even within the same family. Today, many modern descendants of the Reiferscheidt line may use the alternatives of Rivers, Riverscheidt and Reavers as their family surname.

Famous people with the name Reiferscheidt

• Andreas Reiferscheidt: German professional beach volleyball player and Olympic medallist
• Ingrid Reiferscheidt: German swimmer and bronze medallist at the 1972 Summer Olympics
• Werner Reiferscheidt: German World War II fighter pilot
• Matthis Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for VfL Bochum
• Wolf-Dieter Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for VfB Oldenburg
• Jochen Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for Rot-Weiß Erfurt
• Julius Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for Fortuna Düsseldorf
• Willy Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for Rot-Weiss Essen
• Manfred Reiferscheidt: German professional football player who played for SV Lichtenberg
• Monika Reiferscheidt: German professional ice hockey player and Olympic silver medallist

Other surnames

Reiferscheid