Surname Rienzi - Meaning and Origin

Rienzi: What does the surname Rienzi mean?

Rienzi is a surname of Italian origin. It's most famous bearer was probably Cola di Rienzo, a 14th-century leader of the citizen revolt in Rome against the rule of the Pope and the Roman nobility. Because of this association, the name Rienzi is connected with themes of rebellion, leadership, and political intrigue. The precise meaning of the surname Rienzi is uncertain, but it's tied to the place name Rienzo, a village in the municipality of Morano Calabro, in the region of Calabria, Italy. This name comes from the Latin verb "rengare" (meaning "to deny" or "to reject"). Therefore, the surname Rienzi may carry connotations of denial or refusal, perhaps reflecting a spirit of defiance or independence. However, it's important to note that the interpretation of surnames can vary, and the precise meaning of Rienzi may not be fully understood outside of its historical and regional context.

Rienzi: Where does the name Rienzi come from?

The last name Rienzi is an Italian name of Germanic origin, likely derived from the ancient Germanic name Reinze. It is a very common name in Italy today, particularly in Central and Southern Italy.

It can also be found in areas and countries that were formerly part of the Kingdom of Italy, such as France, the former Yugoslavia, Malta, Germany, Switzerland, San Marino and the Vatican City.

In the United States, the name is associated with Italian-American immigrants who settled in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Today, the name is relatively common in areas with large Italian-American populations, such as New York City, Boston, St. Louis, and certain parts of California.

Other countries in which the name is found include Argentina, Chile, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Uruguay and Colombia.

The Russophone diaspora may also have indirectly brought the name to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as to Latvia and Lithuania, particularly in areas inhabited by Roman Catholic populations.

Elsewhere in Europe, it is found in Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Malta, and, to a lesser extent, in Austria, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

In sum, the name Rienzi is very much alive and well today, particularly in Italy and in the Italian-American diaspora.

Variations of the surname Rienzi

The surname Rienzi can be spelled and varianted in several ways, and many other surnames are derived from it. Variations include Rhienzi, Rienz, Rienzia, Reenci, Reyenzi, Rienz, Reenci, and Reenzo. Depending on where it is used, it may be spelled differently or even adapted into another language.

In Italy, the surname is usually written as Rienzi, while in Portugal it is Reenci. In Spanish, the surname is written as Reynes or Reyenzi, while in France it is spelled Reenzo.

Derivatives of the Rienzi surname include Reyna, Reino, Rhineheart, Reinisch, Reinicke, Renoko, Rionese, Rhinesmith, Renyard, Reinsel, Reyns and Reinhart.

Rienzi is an Italian surname which originated in Rome. It is thought to be derived from the Latin personal name Renzius, which means "brave". Theorigin of the surname is linked to Cola di Rienzo (c. 1313 - 1354), an Italian statesman and political leader in Rome, after whom the Rienzi Crater on the moon is named.

Famous people with the name Rienzi

• Francesco Rienzi: an Italian folk hero who reigned briefly as king of Rome.
• Alberico Rienzi: brother of Italian folk hero, Francesco Rienzi, who became Senator of Rome.
• Gaspare Rienzi: a Cardinal of the Catholic Church who held influence in the 18th century.
• Craig Rienzi: winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Reporting.
• Karen Rienzi: an attorney and partner at the law firm McCarter & English.
• Giuseppe Antonio Rienzi: an Italian musicologist of the 18th century.
• Guido Rienzi: a member of the House of Rienzi and early Italian statesman.
• Nicholas Rienzi Curiel: an American investor and executive.
• Lorenzo Rienzi Rosso: an Italian politician who has held multiple positions in the Italian government.
• Alison Rienzi: an American journalist, author, and Emmy Award-winning producer.
• Ephraim Rienzi: an American Jewish lobbyist and writer of the 19th century.
• Marie Rose Rienzi: an Italian actress and television personality who was the first black pageant winner in Italy.
• Paul Rienzi: a producer for the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
• Debra Rienzi: a San Francisco based educational consultant.
• Yolanda Rienzi: a Bolivian fashion designer, entrepreneur and fashion influencer.

Other surnames

Rienzo