Surname Reitinger - Meaning and Origin
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Reitinger: What does the surname Reitinger mean?
The surname Reitinger is of German origin, likely derived from the German word “Riedinger” which means “finder” or “one who seeks out”. This denotes that the ancestors of those with this surname were once individuals who made a living from seeking out and providing goods and services to others. They may have gone as far as travelling from place to place in order to pick up items and collect services for sale.
The surname Reitinger is also found in the Netherlands, and its roots can be traced back to the Dutch word “reed”, which is a type of wood. This suggests that somebody with the surname Reitinger likely receives it from one of their ancestors who was a carpenter, something which was common in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages.
The surname Reitinger is rarely used in the United States, and is much more popular in Germany and the Netherlands. Many families changed their names when they immigrated to the US, and the Reitinger surname is likely one of the few names which survived the transition.
Those who bear the surname Reitinger are likely proud of their heritage, as this name is a testament to the hardworking and independent spirit of their ancestors. A true testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness which have been passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisReitinger: Where does the name Reitinger come from?
The last name Reitinger is most commonly associated with Austria and Germany. It is believed to be of Austrian and Germanic origin, derived from the German term “Reiter,” which means rider or horseman. The earliest known instance of the Reitinger surname dates back to 1428 in Austria, when a Johann Reidinger was listed in the early records of the Salzburg city council.
Today, the surname is prevalent throughout most of Austria and Germany, as well as in some scattered immigrant populations. In Austria, the surname is particularly concentrated in the states of Salzburg and Upper Austria. In Germany, the surname is most common in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. There have also been populations of immigrants bearing the Reitinger surname located in the United States.
The Reitinger surname is rather unique and has certain traditions associated with it. In Austria and Germany, the surname is usually preceded by the title von Reitinger, which is typically used to denote aristocratic descent. The traditional coat of arms for the Reitinger family is a shield featuring two horse heads with an oak branch above.
Variations of the surname Reitinger
The surname Reitinger is most commonly found throughout Central and Eastern Europe, likely originating in what is now modern Austria. Variant spellings are Reitinger, Reitenger, Reitingar, Reitinger, Reitingerova, Ryttingar, Raitinger, and Rytinger.
In the past, surnames were not necessarily passed down from father to son; they varied depending on language and location, and could be easily adapted or altered. For example, the surname Reitinger could become Reitingerova when it was passed on to a female descendant, or Ryttingar depending on the local linguistic variations. Spelling variations were also common in old documents.
The surname Reitinger is derived from two elements - the German word "reiten," which means "to ride," combined with the diminutive "-er," which transforms any given adjective into a noun. Combined, these two components become "one who rides," which is likely either a reference to a professional horseman or a designation for someone who works in a related field, such as a farrier or carpenter who created carriages or horseshoes.
The variation Retyminger can be observed in some instances, but may not originate from Reitinger - many records also list Rytminger as a separate mutation, indicating that it comes from a different "Ryt" variant. Other possible variants include Rettinger and Rettenberger, but they are much less-used forms.
Thus, although the surname of Reitinger has its origin in Austria, it still has a variation of spellings that have been adapted over the centuries. The presence of other similar sounding names from the same region further testifies to the migration and changing of surnames, either through a choice of language or influence of other cultures, or even through the passage of time and the change of spellings.
Famous people with the name Reitinger
- Ryan Reitinger, American actor
- Lucas Reitinger, Brazilian tv host
- Joe Reitinger, former MLB pitcher
- Hope Reitinger, YouTube vlogger
- Stephen Reitinger, president of public relations firm
- Bernard Reitinger, German theater actor
- Irvin Reitinger, former Federation hockey player
- Alan Reitinger, keyboard musician
- Rebecca Reitinger, Miss Wisconsin 2008
- Megan Reitinger, motivational speaker and author