Surname Reifenstuhl - Meaning and Origin
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Reifenstuhl: What does the surname Reifenstuhl mean?
The surname Reifenstuhl is an occupational name of German origin. It is derived from the words "reifen" and "stuhl", which both mean "wheelchair" in German. The surname was most likely given to a person whose occupation was related to wheelchairs.
In medieval Germany, the segmentation of society and the lack of mobility created the necessity for people of all social classes to have a job to support themselves. Some of these jobs included manufacturing wheelchairs for those who were in need of them. Thus, someone who worked in this capacity may have been called Reifenstuhl, a name that would be associated with wheelchairs thereby connoting a knowledgeable and skilled artisan.
Variations of the surname include Reifenstaller, meaning someone who serviced wheelchairs, as well as Reifenrollen, meaning someone who was responsible for the rolling of the wheelchairs. Over the years, these surnames eventually blended together to form Reifenstuhl.
Although the origin of the surname lies within wheelchairs, many people bearing the name Reifenstuhl are unrelated to the profession. It has been passed down throughout generations, and has only remained in modern times due to its prominence in German society.
Order DNA origin analysisReifenstuhl: Where does the name Reifenstuhl come from?
The last name Reifenstuhl is most commonly found in Germany today. In 2015, there were 708 completed registration forms containing this name as a surname in Germany alone, accounting for 0.02% of the German population. It is also found in other countries around the world, including Austria, the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Reifenstuhl is a German name derived from two nouns: "Reifen", meaning tire, and "Stuhl", meaning chair. It is likely to represent an occupational surname, referring to a person who made tire chairs. This would particularly apply to a family who owned a furniture factory or workshop in a rural area.
While the name is not hugely popular in the modern day, it was more common many centuries ago in the Rhineland region of western Germany. It is a surname that has become quite dispersed today due to emigration. There are many people with the name who have spread out to major cities, as well as other countries looking for a better life.
Today, the number of Reifenstuhl's living in the area of its origin is likely much smaller than it was many years ago. Despite this, the name endures as a reflection of the rural past and those original family members who made the journey out of the Rhineland and into the wider world.
Variations of the surname Reifenstuhl
The surname Reifenstuhl is believed to have originated in Germany, and it typically indicates a connection with a congregation of the same name. The name is derived from the German words “Rifen” and “Stuhl”, which respectively mean “wheel” and “chair”.
The variants and spelling of the Reifenstuhl surname include Reftenstuhl, Refftenstuhl, Reftenstuhl, Reffenstuhl, Refftenstuhl, Reifenstehl, Reifenstool, Rifenstuhl, Refenstuhl, and Riffenstuhl.
Surnames that are related to Reifenstuhl include Refenstahl, Refenstel, Riffenstruhl, Refenstoel, Refentool, Refensohl, Reffenstahl, Reffenstel, Ruffenstahl, Ruffenstel, Riffenstahl, Riffenstel, Refensture, Refensturel, Riffensture, Riffensturel, Riffenstein, Reffensture and Reffensturel.
These surnames all share a common root, so anyone researching the Reifenstuhl name may come across any of the other surnames listed. It is also important to note that these surnames may have a variety of alternate spellings as well, so it is important to consider all of the variants when searching for information.
Famous people with the name Reifenstuhl
- Alfred Reifenstuhl (1830–1904), German master-at-arms.
- Christoph Reifenstuhl, German lawyer and politician.
- Günther Reifenstuhl (1886–1947), German sociologist.
- Jörg Reifenstuhl (born 1967), German association football player.
- Josef Alois Reifenstuhl (1741–1814), Austrian landscape painter.
- Leonhard Reifenstuhl, German organist and composer.
- Ludwig Reifenstuhl (1870–1941), Austrian novelist and screenwriter.
- Paul Reifenstuhl (1887–1939), German World War I flying ace.
- Peter Reifenstuhl (1926–2013), German Olympic fencer.
- Robert Reifenstuhl (born 1930), Austrian philosopher.