Surname Reiffenscheidt - Meaning and Origin
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Reiffenscheidt: What does the surname Reiffenscheidt mean?
The surname Reiffenscheidt is of German origin and is derived from the place name Reiffenscheid located in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The literal meaning of Reiffenscheidt is “ridge” or “cleft”. The area where this place name is derived from is thought to have been part of a former forested ridge, and was named by the Germanic settlers who settled in the area centuries ago.
The surname Reiffenscheidt is quite rare. It is not known how the name might have made its way from Germany to other countries, although it is likely that the surname could have originated with some of the early immigrants. At the time of the 1880 United States Federal Census, there were around 15 Reiffenscheidts listed in the census records.
Today, the surname Reiffenscheidt is mostly found in the United States, but has also been found in other countries such as Canada, Australia, England, Germany, and others. As far as the history of the surname in the United States, the first Reiffenscheidt listed in the census records is Otto Reiffenscheidt, listed in the 1880 US Federal Census in Wisconsin.
Overall, the surname Reiffenscheidt is a relatively rare one. While its exact origins are difficult to determine, it is clear that the name was of German origin and was derived from a place name in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The surname appears to have spread mainly through early German immigrants to other countries, and is mostly found in the United States today.
Order DNA origin analysisReiffenscheidt: Where does the name Reiffenscheidt come from?
The last name Reiffenscheidt is most commonly found in the Rhineland region of Germany. The name can also be found in other parts of Central and Western Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and France.
The earliest origin of the Reiffenscheidt surname has been found in the Rhineland area of Germany, which includes the cities of Cologne and Bonn. The old word “Rief” meaning smoke or mist and “Scheid” meaning divide or split, suggests the name is derived from a geographical landmark such as a breath of fog, from which the family originates.
The earliest Reiffenscheidt document in Germany dates back as far as 1574, discovered in Bonn, located in the Rhineland region. By the mid 1600's, Reiffenscheidt families were spread out from the Rhineland to other parts of Germany such as Hamburg, where records date back to 1617.
As centuries passed, more and more Reiffenscheidt families migrated or voluntarily uprooted themselves and moved to other countries throughout Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and France. The Reiffenscheidt last name can still be found in the Rhineland region and in many of these other cities, but is especially concentrated in the Rhineland.
Variations of the surname Reiffenscheidt
The surname Reiffenscheidt is a German name that has its origins in the small German village of Reiffenscheid. It is a locational name given to a person originally from the area, and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Ryffenschedt, Reifenscheidz, Reifenschedt, Riffenschedt, Reiffenschedt, Reiffenscheyt, Reiffedyts, Reiffenskyd, Ryphinsched, Riffesched, Roifenskyd, Reyphinsched, Reyphinscheyd, Raffenscheid, Roffensched, Roifesched, Roffenskyd, Ryfesched, Ryffynched, and Ryfenschede.
The name has spread throughout Germany and Europe over the last several centuries, becoming a common way of distinguishing individuals from the same area of origin. The reason why there are so many variants of the same name is due to misspellings, regional and national languages, dialects and accents, as well as other factors.
Today, Reiffenscheidt is a surname that is found all over the world, particularly among those who are descendants of German immigrants. It is still common in the small village of Reiffenscheid, and it is an example of how surnames that originated in one place can be adopted by many different people over time.
Famous people with the name Reiffenscheidt
- Jan Reiffenscheidt: a German former cyclist who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Christophe Reiffenscheidt: a French rugby union coach and former player.
- Jean Reiffenscheidt: a French businessperson, who is best known for his involvement in the development of modern-day trade fairs and exhibitions.
- Heiko Reiffenscheidt: a German florist and breeder of irises.
- Michael Reiffenscheidt: an Austrian–American painter known for his large-scale works, often featuring abstract and surreal combinations of everyday and mythical elements.
- Marlon Reiffenscheidt: a Swiss professional football player who currently plays for FC Aarau.
- Mathias Reiffenscheidt: a German professional football player who currently plays for SV Wehen Wiesbaden.
- Theresa Reiffenscheidt: a German professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Icebears Berlin of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).
- Ralph Reiffenscheidt: a German angel investor and entrepreneur.
- Darin Reiffenscheidt: a Canadian Special Forces Operator and Airsoft enthusiast with an interest in tactical equipment.