Surname Rehner - Meaning and Origin

Rehner: What does the surname Rehner mean?

Rehner is a surname of German-Jewish descent, and it is believed to come from the Jewish word “rahn” that means “reciter of prayers” or “singer”. It has also been suggested that the name is derived from the Old German name “Rener” meaning “digital”, referring to the profession of medicine man, as well as “regen” meaning rain, indicating a farming family. The “er” part of the name could also indicate a place or location of the family’s origin.

In Jewish communities that were German-speaking, the name Rehner could have originated from a nickname for the prayer leader in the synagogue. It is also possible that it developed as an occupational name of a Jewish cantor, singer, or actor. Alternatively, it is possible that the name was adopted by a non-Jewish family, adopting either the German or Jewish version of the name.

Regardless of its origin, the Rehner surname has a rich history and invites interest in tracing the family history of its many bearers. Due to its rise in popularity in Germany during the 19th century, there has been widespread adoption of the name into many countries of Europe, America, and even Australia. Those with the Rehner surname usually have a deep appreciation for the history, culture, and contributions of their ancestors, and so many family stories, legends, and traditions have been passed down through generations.

Rehner: Where does the name Rehner come from?

The last name Rehner is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in Bavaria. It is also common in neighboring countries including Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The name is of Dutch origins and is derived from the German word "Rainer", which refers to a warrior. It was commonly found in the eastern Germanic states of Europe, beginning in the middle ages.

The name is particularly common in Bavaria, where it has been found since the ninth century. It is from here that the Rehners spread throughout Europe. Today, the name can be found around the world, whether through heritage or immigration.

In North America, the Rehner family can be found in Pennsylvania, which is home to the first North American Rehner documented in the 1720s. In the United States, surnames including Rehner, Reiner, and Reiner are all derived from the original Germanic root. The name is also found largely in Canada, although its presence is not as extensive as the United States.

Today, many Rehners retain their Germanic roots, tracing back to the first known Bavarian family of the early middle ages. But in the years to come, more and more Rehners will continue to spread across the world.

Variations of the surname Rehner

The surname Rehner has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most common variations are Rainer, Rayner, Reiner, Reinher and Reinherr.

Rainer is the earliest form of the surname, originating in Germanic regions. It is derived from a compound of "hrōd" meaning "fame" and "gerī", "spear". The combination of these two elements is thought to denote someone with a 'famed spear'. Over time, Rainer became anglicized to Rayner, which is now more commonly used in English speaking countries.

Reiner is a German spelling of the name and is also thought to be derived from the same roots as Rainer. This spelling is more common in Germany and other German-speaking nations than the anglicized version.

Reinher and Reinherr are variations of Reiner and are cognates of Rayner, meaning they are derived from the same root elements. Reinher originates in Germany while Reinherr is of German origin. These two variants are often confused, as they are similar in spelling.

The surname Rehner is less common than the other variants of the same origin. It is thought to be derived from a combination of "Rein", the German word for pure, and the suffix "Heer", which translated to army. The combination of these two elements is thought to mean a 'pure army'.

Famous people with the name Rehner

• Scott Rehner: American cartoonist, illustrator, and comic book artist.
• Martha Rehner: American novelist and screenwriter.
• Marc Rehner: American Poker Player
• Robert Rehner: Australian professional dancer.
• Chad Rehner: American actor, director, and screenwriter.
• J.C. Rehner: American rapper and hip-hop artist.
• J.P. Rehner: American singer-songwriter.
• David Rehner: American professional cyclist.
• Shaun Rehner: American computer graphics artist and animator.
• John Rehner: American professional football player.
• Stephen Rehner: American violinist and composer.
• Mike Rehner: American professional golfer.
• Robert Rehner Jr.: American producer, director, and screenwriter.
• Frieder Rehner: German professional football player.
• Michaela Rehner: German figure skater and choreographer.
• Yaron Rehner: Israeli professional tennis player.
• Henrik Rehner: Swedish rally driver.
• Trude Rehner: Norwegian actress, director, and singer.
• Christian Rehner: Swiss architect and artist.
• George Rehner: Austrian film and stage actor.

Other surnames

RehneltRehnenRehnert