Surname Reipold - Meaning and Origin
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Reipold: What does the surname Reipold mean?
The last name Reipold is a German name, derived from a combination of two words - 'rei' and 'pold.' 'Rei' is derived from the old Germanic word for "ruler," and 'pold' is a shortened version of the word for "people" or "territory." In combination, the name Reipold translates to "ruler of the people” or "ruler of the territory.”
The name Reipold likely originated from a powerful ruler or noble in the Middle Ages, when many territories were carved out in the area around what is now Germany. Such people may have had rights over land and people, and they would have the right to set laws, administer justice, collect taxes, and take control of local defences. It would not be a surprise if a powerful local leader taking such a position were rewarded with a surname that featured elements of their role.
The name Reipold is still relatively uncommon in Germany, and other parts of Europe, and relatively fewer people in North America and other parts of the world bear the name. In any case, it appears to have originated hundreds of years ago, appearing in records from at least the 16th century. People with this surname today may be proud to bear the name of a figure who may have had influence in eras long gone by.
Order DNA origin analysisReipold: Where does the name Reipold come from?
The last name Reipold is most common in Germany and Austria today, but it also has a presence in the United States. It is a German surname that is derived from the name Reppold, which was originally derived from the Old High German words "reiben," meaning "to rub" and "walt," meaning "foreigner." According to records, the first known bearer of the name was a man named Reibenwalt who appeared in the 1100s. In the 1700s, the name became more popular and spread across many German regions, as well as to other parts of Europe.
In recent decades, many German immigrants have brought the Reipold name with them to the United States. In the 2020 census, it was found that roughly 2,496 people in the US carry the surname. The largest concentration of Reipolds in the US resides in Illinois, followed by Texas, California, Missouri, and New Jersey. Although many Reipolds continue to reside in the German areas where the name first originated, it has now spread across the pond to the US.
Variations of the surname Reipold
The surname Reipold is of German origin, and is derived from the Germanic words "rei" and "vald," which mean "wise leader". Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include: Reinhold, Reinald, Rinaldo, Reinwald, Reino, Reineke, Reyneke, Raynolds, Reifold, Reiffold, Reiffwald, Reifwald, Reifelt, Rayshold, Rayhold, Rayvold, Reyifold, Reyifelt, Reuphold, Reibold, Reipholtz and Reipoltz.
The surnames Reinald and Reinhold are particularly popular in the geographically distinct regions of Bavaria, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. As part of the German-speaking population, these names freshly immigrated to the United States of America and Canada with the large-scale migrations from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, the corresponding English versions of these surnames are Reynold and Reinhold.
Reipold further has derivatives used as given names, including Ray, Rein, Reine, Renard, and Reiner. Additionally, some surnames related to Reipold also reflect noble roots and may have derived from a house name, such as Siegfried, Schinkel, and Will.
In summation, the surname Reipold has a wide variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Reinhold, Reinald, Rinaldo, Reinwald, Reino, Reineke, Reyneke, Raynolds, Reifold, Reiffold, Reiffwald, Reifwald, Reifelt, Rayshold, Rayhold, Rayvold, Reyifold, Reyifelt, Reuphold, Reibold, Reipholtz, Reipoltz, Reynold, Ray, Rein, Reine, Renard, and Reiner.
Famous people with the name Reipold
- Tom Reipold: This German fashion designer is known for his unique take on classic European styles. He has been featured in numerous fashion magazines and has worked with major brands such as Hugo Boss.
- Joe Reipold: This American baseball player was a former first baseman for the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He is also recognized for playing with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers during the 2005 season.
- Kati Reipold: This Finnish sport shooter won gold medals at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and 1999 World Championships. She is considered one of the most successful Finnish shooters in history.
- Willy Reipold: This Austrian architect is best known for his Baroque style churches and castles. His most celebrated works are found in Austria, especially in the West-Styria region.
- Nils Reipold: This Swedish figure skater represented Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. He has also won several Swedish championships and competed at the World Championship multiple times.