Surname Reifel - Meaning and Origin
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Reifel: What does the surname Reifel mean?
The surname Reifel is of German origin and is derived from the German word "rüfel" which means "rough".
The original bearer of this name was likely someone who was considered to be rougher in behavior than others or more likely, someone who lived or worked in a rugged or untamed location. Therefore, the most literal translation of the surname is "from a rough area".
The name Reifel is a variation of the name Rüfel which is derived from the medieval German given name Rüffe or Rüffel meaning "rough". Over the years, the surname has evolved in its spelling and pronunciation as it became more common.
Today, Reifel is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, although there are some people with this surname living in European countries as well. It is generally regarded as a rare name and there are only a few families who bear this name.
In the United States, the Reifels have cultivated a close-knit community in the area of Missouri. They have built long-lasting family bonds and kept close-knit connections to the old-world traditions that the first Reifel family members brought with them.
It's not exactly certain from where the Reifel family originated from, but it is likely that the name comes from an ancestor who settled in the German-speaking states hundreds of years ago and founded a family that has gradually spread across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisReifel: Where does the name Reifel come from?
The surname Reifel is of German origin and first appears in records around the 1600s. It is most commonly found in Germany and the United States of America. In Germany, there is a large concentration of the surname in the state of Saxony, especially in the district of Meissen, as well as the city of Berlin. The surname is also present in other areas throughout the country.
In the United States, the surname is most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. It is believed to be made up of at least 300 families. Most of these can be found in large cities such as Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Baltimore as well as smaller towns in the states mentioned above.
The surname can also be found in other parts of the world. It is found in Canada, England, Australia, and parts of South America. Of these countries, Canada has the largest population of Reifel families, with the most families concentrated in the city of Winnipeg in Manitoba.
In conclusion, the surname Reifel is most common in Germany and the United States of America today, but it can also be found in other parts of the world. It is believed to be made up of more than 300 families in total.
Variations of the surname Reifel
The surname Reifel has a variety of spellings and related surnames that are of Germanic origin. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word “raifl” and refers to a person who lives near a riparian area. Variants of the surname include Reveal, Revele, Rife, Riffle, Rippel, Ripley, Riply, Ryfel, and Rifel.
Reifel itself, is the German form of the surname; however, a Dutch form of the name is Reifels.
In North America, the variant spelling Ripley is most common, while in England, Rippel is more popular.
In Germany, the variant Reifel is the most common form of the surname with Riffel, Rippel, Riply, Ryfel, and Reifels being used as additional variants.
The surname can also be found within the Jewish communities in Germany with a variety of spellings including Riffel, Ripel, Riepel, and Ryfel as well as the more traditional German variant, Reifel.
In the United States, the variant Ripley is by far the most popular, with a variety of related spellings and surnames also being used. Other variants popular in the United States include Rifel, Reifel, Ryfel, and Rippel.
The surname Reifel is quite a unique surname, with a variety of spellings and variants being used in different countries and branches of the same genealogical tree. Its popularity will continue to expand as more people with an interest in family history discover its unique history.
Famous people with the name Reifel
- Greg Reifel: Greg is a retired ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals in his career.
- Christian Reifel: Christian is a filmmaker, photographer, and conservationist from Canada. His work focuses on wildlife and wildlands.
- Peter Reifel: Peter is a well-known Canadian Blues and Jazz musician, making albums since the late 1970s.
- Anna Reifel: Anna is a professional actress from Germany. She is known for her roles in the television soap operas Verbotene Liebe and Forbidden Love.
- Jeff Reifel: Jeff is an American actor, known for his roles in All the King's Men and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
- Dean Reifel: Dean is a filmmaker from Canada. He is the co-creator of the expertly crafted documentary films West Wind and Mountain Men.
- John Reifel: John is an American attorney who is the president and managing partner in the firm of Reifel & Reiman.
- Mary Reifel: Mary is a college professor and administrator who served as president of both the Community College of Allegheny County and Prince George's Community College in Maryland.
- Jacob Reifel: Jacob is a professional wakeboarder from the United States. He is the 2014 Pro Wakeboard Tour champion.
- Gaston Reifel: Gaston is a famous Argentinian politician, who served as senator from the province of Río Negro between 1990–2003.