Surname Rehnen - Meaning and Origin

Rehnen: What does the surname Rehnen mean?

The last name Rehnen is of German origin and there are a few possible variants such as Rehren, Rehn, Reinen and Rhenen. It is derived from the German word "rabe" which means raven. It is a name for someone most likely associated with the characteristics of the raven, such as the bird's intelligence, loyalty, courage and wit.

In some cases, the surname may have been a nickname for someone with black hair or some other physical feature that resembled a raven.

In German, the name often takes the form Rehnen and is borne by various noble families living in the north of Germany. This name is well known in Germany, especially in the region of Oldenburg.

Given it's roots in German, it is possible that the family has a long and proud history within the nation. It is also likely they were involved in some of the more tumultuous times of Germany's history during the late 1800s and throughout the first world war.

So, the last name Rehnen can be discovered to be an ancient name originating in Germany that has come to signify courage, loyalty and wit. The Rehnen family is likely a proud family with a strong sense of history and honour that surely has carried through the generations.

Rehnen: Where does the name Rehnen come from?

The surname Rehnen is most common in Germany today. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the old Germanic personal name Rahn, meaning kingly wise one. The name was brought to the region by settlers in the Middle Ages, and continued to be popular among Germanic populations throughout Europe, including those in the modern day country of Germany.

In Germany, Rehnen is a relatively common surname and is most heavily concentrated in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. In the modest city of Kiel, for example, Rehnen is the 81st most common family name. This ranking falls closer to the middle of the pack when compared alongside all of Germany, making it somewhat below average.

In the modern world, the Rehnen name can be found beyond the boundaries of Germany, most notably in the United States. This is due to the migration of populations away from Europe and towards North America during the mid to late 19th century. Today, the surname Rehnen is prevalent in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and in particular, Wisconsin. It is estimated that there are around 20,000 Rehnens living in the United States, the majority of which are in Wisconsin.  The state of Wisconsin is sometimes informally referred to as "Little Germany," due to its unique immigrant population and the preservation of German customs within the state.

Overall, the name Rehnen has kept much of its presence in the Germanic populations throughout the centuries, and is alive both within Germany and abroad.

Variations of the surname Rehnen

The surname Rehnen has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly seen spelled as Rehnen, Rehnen, or Rehnen. Other less common spellings include Rehn, Rhen, Rhein, Rein, Rhyn, Rien, and Rhyne.

Rehnen is a patronymic surname originating primarily from Germany, and is derived from the given name Rein, which was derived from the Germanic element "ragin" meaning "advice". In some cases, it could also be derived from a Middle Dutch or German version of the given name, Rain(e), which is a hypocoristic form of the name 'Reginald'. The surname can also be found in Dutch, Flemish, and Germanic-speaking parts of Europe, such as The Netherlands, Flanders, and Germany.

It is common for surnames to vary by spelling in different cultures and generations. This is seen particularly in this surname, as some Dutch and Flemish spellings of Rehnen include Rien, Rhyne, and Rein.

Rehnen is also an Anglicized version of several other surnames such as Rajne, Rhan, and Rhon. Furthermore, Rehnen is an Americanized form of the names Ray, Rae, and Rayne.

In other countries, the surname has various spellings. In Ireland, it is seen spelled as Reenan, while in Sweden the spelling is Rheinan or Rehen. In France, the spelling is Rennay, while in Denmark it is Rehenen or Rhenen.

Overall, Rehnen is an ancient surname with multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It has a rich history and is found in multiple languages and regions spanning Europe.

Famous people with the name Rehnen

• Andrea Rehnen: German competitive swimmer and swim instructor.
• Julius Rehnen: German sprint canoer who competed in the early 1920s.
• Anna Rehnen: German Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete.
• Benedikt Rehnen: German bobsledder who competed from 2005 to 2018.
• Tom Rehnen: German singer and songwriter.
• Christopher Rehnen: Norwegian photojournalist and documentary photographer.
• Helge Rehnen: Swedish sprinter who competed in the 1960s.
• Tove Rehnen: Norwegian swimmer and the first female swimmers to get two gold medals.
• Joseph Rehnen: German international lawn bowls champion and also competed in discus.
• Robert Rehnen: German speed skater who competed in the 1960s.

Other surnames

RehneltRehnerRehnert