Surname Reifert - Meaning and Origin
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Reifert: What does the surname Reifert mean?
The last name Reifert is an old German surname of Germanic origin. It derived from the Middle High German word 'Rifart' meaning 'strong man' or 'warrior'. It was initially only used as a personal or first name and was subsequently used as a family or hereditary name. It is a combination of two German words - 'Rif' meaning powerful and 'Art' meaning brave or strong.
Reifert family members were known to be great warriors and devoted to their homeland. This is evidenced in some early historical accounts of Reiferts fighting off intruders defending villages and towns.
Overall, the Reifert name carries an honorable and rich history of strength, bravery, and loyalty. It is a distinct and proud name, rich in tradition and its exceptional European origins. With such characteristics and a spirit of protection and valor, there is no surprise why the Reiferts have been well respected and honored for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisReifert: Where does the name Reifert come from?
The last name Reifert is most commonly seen in the United States and Germany today. In the US, the Reifert name is primarily found in the Midwest and East Coast. A large number of early US immigrants bearing the Reifert name settled in Pennsylvania, particularly in the Lehigh Valley area and Berks County. There are also a significant number of Reiferts living in Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.
In Germany, the Reifert surname is most frequently found in the state of Bavaria and in the north-western region of North Rhine-Westphalia. During the 1700s and 1800s, immigrants bearing the family name mainly settled in the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bayern (Bavaria).
Additionally, Reifert families can be found in Austria and Switzerland as well. It is thought that many of the Reiferts in those locations are descended from Bavarian emigrants who moved North and South before settling in neighboring countries.
While the Reifert last name is not widely dispersed throughout the world, those who bear the name today likely have distant relatives in the places mentioned above. It is likely that many Reiferts in other areas are descended from early immigrants who moved widely in search of economic opportunities.
Variations of the surname Reifert
The surname Reifert is of German origin and derives from a personal name (first name) of Germanic origin. Variants of the name include Reiffer, Reiffert, Reif, Reiffen, Reifferth and Reiferth. Additionally, other surnames of Germanic origin that may be related to the Reifert name include Reichard, Reinhardt, Rheinfardt, Richart, Rieffel, Riefenstahl, Rieffenstahl, Rieff, and Rieffler. All of these surnames originate from similar personal names, usually the suffix "-hart" or "-frid" indicating courage and peace.
The surname Reifert can also be spelled in various ways such as Reiffert, Rheifert, Rhiffert, Reyfert, and Ryfert. All of these spellings can lead to the same root surname. In some cases, the surname has been Americanized to Riffert, Reiff, and Reifferth.
In addition to these variants and spellings, Reifert can also be found as a variation of the Dutch given name, Ryffert or Without. These names are derived from the old Dutch personal name Riucferth, which is a combination of the elements "riu" (rich) and "ferth" (leader).
The common surnames found in America with the same root as Reifert are Reich, Reichard, Reicherd, Reichert, Reichenbach, Reichenberger, Reiff, Reifferth, Reiford, Reifert, and Ryffert.
Overall, Reifert is a German surname with multiple origins, variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Ultimately, the surname traces its origin back to the Germanic personal name, with the suffix "-hart" or "-frid" indicating courage and peace.
Famous people with the name Reifert
- Eric Reifert: Eric Reifert is keenly recognized as a legendary American drummer. Born in 1963, he has long been a member of Autopsy: a pioneering death metal group from the San Francisco Bay area that he helped form in 1987.
- Johannes Reifert: Johannes Reifert is a German classical pianist best known for his interpretations of works from the Baroque era. He has won many awards, including third prize at the Bach competition.
- Werner Reifert: Werner Reifert was an Austrian painter and sculptor who was active during 1945-1955. His work often focused on religious themes and has been widely appraised in the world of fine art.
- Hedwig Reifert: Hedwig Reifert was a German-American fashion designer and artist, widely recognized as the founder of the American fashion label in 1937. She was known for incorporating bright, daring colors in her designs.
- Anton Reifert: Anton Reifert was a German painter and illustrator born in 1887. He is known for his Escher-like drawings and woodcuts. His masterpieces depict fantastical castles, seafaring merchant ships, forests, and more.
- Günter Reifert: Günter Reifert was a Third Reich Luftwaffe flying ace during World War II. Born in 1916, he is credited with shooting down 65 allied aircraft during his 30 combat missions.
- Eberhard Reifert: Eberhard Reifert was a sculptor and medalist from Austria. He is best known for his production of coins and medals honoring famous personalities, which are celebrated to this day.