Surname Reihs - Meaning and Origin

Reihs: What does the surname Reihs mean?

The last name Reihs is a name of German origin that dates back to before the 12th century. It is an occupational surname derived from the German word "Reihe" which means "row" or "string". This name was given to those who held occupations related to ordering, sorting, or arranging items into rows such as merchants, tailors, or farmers. People with the last name Reihs may have been involved in activities such as counting, measuring, arranging goods, tasks where having an orderly approach was important.

The usage of this name is believed to have originated in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany due to its direct connection to the origin of the surname. Through the course of history, the last name Reihs may have been found in various parts of Europe and can now be found in many countries around the world.

In recent years, more people have become interested in their own family history and researching the meaning of their last names. The last name Reihs has an interesting and intriguing past, and finding out more about its origin can be a fun and educational exercise. Knowing the origin of one's last name can provide a source of pride and even form the basis for a great conversation starter.

Reihs: Where does the name Reihs come from?

The last name Reihs is relatively uncommon today; however, it is prevalent throughout a few areas in Central European countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed that the name Reihs is derived from the German name Reich, which originally referred to a person's property or possessions. It later came to refer to a state or government.

In Germany, Reihs is more common in the Rhineland Palatinate, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Hessen regions, particularly in smaller towns. In Austria, the majority of people with the last name Reihs live in the state of Styria. In Switzerland, there are concentrations of Reihs families in the Canton of Aargau, which is located in the Northwest of the country.

In recent years, the diaspora of German-speaking people has spread the name Reihs to other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name is also relatively common in the Netherlands as a result of Dutch immigrants to Germany. Despite its historical spread throughout Central Europe, the number of people with the name Reihs remains quite small, likely due to its historic association with state and property.

Variations of the surname Reihs

Reihs is a surname of German-Austrian origin, derived from the German word reich, meaning “royal” or “noble.” It is sometimes spelled Rehse, Reise, Reyhs, Reeche, Rhyce, or Ryce, although it is usually pronounced “Races” in the United States.

In German-speaking regions, the Reihs surname can also take the form Rehse, with rhymes like “bless” or “yes.” This spelling is especially popular amongst families formerly from Prussia, Silesia, and the Austrian Empire. This version of the surname is sometimes spelt with a double "e", and can also be found as Rehsemann or Reise.

In the English-speaking world, the most common variant of Reihs is Ryce. This spelling is usually pronounced “Rise” in the United States, while in the United Kingdom, it is often pronounced “Rice” instead.

Due to the many different possible spellings of Reihs, it can be difficult to determine whether a given individual is of the same surname origin. However, there are some commonalities between the variants that can help to suggest a common descent. For instance, all variants are derived from the Germanic word reich, and the root –reih– typically remains. Furthermore, alternate spellings often include the letter "y," imposing some consistency between the variants.

Finally, some families who have adopted the Reihs surname have also used other related surnames, such as Reich, Reichs, Reichse, Reichel, Reichert, Reicker, Reigle, or Reigl. These surnames may originally have been derived from the same Germanic root reich, and thus could indicate a shared descent.

Famous people with the name Reihs

• Dwight Reihs: Arts and Culture visionary and the founder of ThinkTV
• Pauly Reihs: Famous model in the 1950s
• Stephanie Reihs: American actress well known for her performance as Vivian in the movie “Valley Girl”
• Katie Reihs: American television and film actress
• Pete Reihs: American actor and comedian
• Erich Reihs: Austrian bass-baritone opera singer
• Max Reihs: German middle distance runner specialising in the 800 metres
• Esther Reihs: Founder of Angels of Change- a non-profit organisation advocating for new ideas pertaining to the environment
• Maureen Reihs: American professional golfer in the LPGA Tour
• John Reihs: American record producer, musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• Latricia Reihs: American Paralympic sit-skier
• Virna Reihs: Brazilian professional mountain athlete and endurance cyclist

Other surnames

Reihsig