Surname Reiter - Meaning and Origin

Unanticipated Discoveries: Unraveling the Deep Roots of My Surname, Reiter, Through iGENEA DNA

I recently undertook an iGENEA DNA test, tracing my paternal heritage linked to the Reiter surname. To my immense surprise, I discovered a strong Jewish lineage originating from Eastern and central Europe, intertwined with a robust Scandinavian genetic link. This unexpected journey through my DNA has enriched my understanding of my surname, revealed historical surprises, and shone a new light on the story of my Reiter ancestors.

R. Reiter

Reiter: What does the surname Reiter mean?

The surname Reiter is of German origin and the term translates to 'rider' or 'horseman' in English. It was likely bestowed as an occupational surname for individuals who originally held this profession - a knight, a cavalryman, or a mounted soldier. The role of the 'Reiter' during the medieval period was crucial considering the importance of horseback warriors in warfare and protection. This surname may also have been used for people connected with riding in some other way, perhaps in a trade capacity, driving horses for a living. As with many occupational surnames, it's not necessarily the case that individuals carrying the surname today have ancestral ties to the profession. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation and were often derived from a person's occupation.

Reiter: Where does the name Reiter come from?

The last name Reiter is quite common today. In Germany, it is one of the 100 most popular surnames, and it is especially widespread in the southern regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The surname has been recorded in Germany since at least 1344, when one Walther Reiter is documented in the city of Konstanz. The name is believed to be of Germanic origin, and may mean one who is regal or one who moves to different places.

In Austria, the surname is also very common, and there it was first recorded in the early 13th century, when a Chroder Reiter was documented in the town of Lochau. In the Czech Republic, the surname is sometimes recorded as a variant form, Reitor.

In the United States, the surname is also quite common, especially in states with large German-speaking populations such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. It is also quite common in parts of Canada, especially in Ontario and Alberta. Records suggest the surname was brought to the country in the early 1700s, when settlers of German or Swiss origin first arrived.

Overall, the surname Reiter is quite common, with the highest numbers reported in Germany, Austria, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Reiter

The surname Reiter is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word “riter”, meaning "knight". It is derived from the Old High German words “ritar” and “ritari”, which both mean “rider” or “horseman”. Alternate spellings for this surname include Rider, Reither, Rittar, Rieter, Reithar, Retter, Reidar, Rether, Roof, Ritter and Raitter.

Variants of this surname include Riyadher, Rether, Ryther, Reiterer, Reyther, Reither, Righter, Ryther, Rihter, Rytter, Reiter, Rajter, Reythar, Reuter and Reder. Some of these variants have ancestral roots in different countries or regions. For instance, Rajter is a variation of the German surname Reiter that is found mainly in Croatia, while Reuter, a variant of Reiter, is primarily found in Switzerland.

Surnames that have roots similar to Reiter include Reade, Redei, Read, Reda, Reta, Redman, Redwine and Reuter. The German word “rofe”, meaning “proud”, can also lead to similar surnames such as Roof and Roff.

In some cases, an individual with a surname derived from Reiter may adopt a surname of completely different origin. For example, an individual with the surname Reuter may adopt a surname such as Smith, Miller, Wright or Coleman. This practice is common in the United States, where individuals often adopt the surname of a spouse or ancestor with a different origin.

Famous people with the name Reiter

• René Reuter, German philosopher and theologian
• Leonard Reuter, Austrian architect and city planner
• Tony Reiter, American professional baseball player
• Max Reiter, German conductor
• Andreas Reiter, German lawyer
• Conrad Reiter, German Lutheran theologian
• Wallace Reiter, American ophthalmologist
• Steven Reiter, Swiss conductor
• Wilhelm Reiter, Austrian psychiatrist
• Gösta Reiter, Swedish physicist
• Thomas Reiter, German astronaut
• Fernanda Reiter, Brazilian psychoanalyst
• Alfred Reiter, Austrian chemist
• Lally Reiter, French politician
• Arnold Reiter, Austrian Labor Economist
• Fred Reiter, American sportswriter
• André Reiter, French politician
• Dan Reiter, American political scientist
• Miguel Reiter, Argentine journalist
• Albert Reiter, German professor and musician

Other surnames

ReitenspiesReitenspiessReitenspießReitererReiters