Surname Reil - Meaning and Origin
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Embarking on A DNA Journey: An Intimate Insight Into the History and Origins of the Reil Surname
The DNA test provided by iGENEA paved the rich journey into my genealogical lineage, unearthing the origins of my surname, Reil. Exploiting advanced technical aspects such as autosomal and Y-DNA testing, the accuracy and depth of my genetic roots and surname's history were revealed, offering valuable insight into my personal heritage.
M. Reil
read moreReil: What does the surname Reil mean?
The surname Reil is of German origin. It is considered a topographic name derived from the Middle Low German term "rēgel" or "rēil," which means "strip of land." Hence, it was probably used to denote someone who lived or worked on a strip of land. In some instances, the name may have been occupational, referring to someone who made or sold strips used in weaving or for other purposes. Over centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling alterations. It is also prevalent in several other countries due to migration and variation in spellings and pronunciation such as Reilly in Ireland, or Riel in France. The name is popular to this day, and many notable people bear the last name Reil, including the famous German physician Johann Christian Reil. As with most surnames, the precise interpretation may vary within different families, depending upon their historical context and personal family traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisReil: Where does the name Reil come from?
The last name Reil is most commonly found today in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, Reil is found in the northern and western states such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Berlin. In the Netherlands, the most populated province with the surname is North Holland.
The surname Reil is believed to have originated in Germany and is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word “reil”, which means ambling or a lazy walk among other things. Historians speculate that the surname was adopted in Germany to denote someone who was slow or a relaxer of pace. Early records of the surname date back to the 14th century when Rudolph Reil lived in Ebingen in 1200.
The name Reil is fairly rare throughout the world today and is estimated to be held by less than 500 people. As of the 2000 US Census, only 8 Reils were recorded in the United States of America. The surname is reasonably common in both Germany and the Netherlands, although most Reil families are spread throughout other parts of Europe and the world, primarily in North America and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Reil
The surname Reil can have a variety of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Reil, Reilley, Riehl, Rehle, Rehl, Rhyl, Ryl, Reele, Reilley, Rehling, Riel, Riely, Ryel, Ryall, Reilly, Reel, Reele, Reille, Rehill, Rayle, Ryhl, Ruhl, Ryhl and Rhile are all variants or spellings of Reil.
Reil is a German surname and is derived from words which mean “strong” and “judge”. The original spelling of the name was Reyel and the earliest documented use was in 1410 by a man named Johannes Reyel in Germany. This name was then changed to various other spellings over the centuries as it was passed from one generation to another.
The surnames Reilley, Riehl and Rehle are all derived from the same German root word for “strong” or “judge”. These names were likely derived from the same family who had the original surname of Reyel.
The variants Rehl, Ryhl, Ruhl and Ryhl are derived from the ancient German word for “house.” This reflects the fact that the family may have either owned land or used a house as their symbol and was likely adopted by the family at some point in their ancestry.
The surname Rhyl or Ryl is derived from the Middle High German root word for “source” and could refer to the family’s origin and ancestry.
The surnames Rayle, Ryall, Reilly, Reel, Reele, Reille, Rehill and Rhile are all derivatives of an old variant of the name Reyel, which included a “y” or an “i” within the name.
In conclusion, the surname Reil has numerous variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. All of these names were adapted from the original spelling of Reyel and each was likely adopted by the family at different points in their history.
Famous people with the name Reil
- Martin Reil: German entrepreneur, founder and CEO of MS-Logistics, a leading logistics service provider.
- Ernst Reil: German architect and university professor.
- Andreas Reil: Austrian media specialist and co-founder of the renowned small film production company “Salzburg Film”.
- Frank Reil: German professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Krefeld Panthers.
- Annemarie Reil: German classical soprano singer, known for her unique approach to interpreting classical music.
- Mark Reil: American actor, best known for his roles in Patrick Swayze’s spiritual drama “Don’t Let Me Go” and the Netflix series “Grace and Frankie”.
- Thomas Reil: Swiss-born actor and director, known for his work in the films “Buddha’s Little Finger” and “The Staircase”.
- Paul Reil: German author and freelance journalist. His works focus on the exploration of human relationships, cultures, and landscapes.
- Birgit Reil: Austrian artist and illustrator, specializing in botanical art.
- Mark Reil: Grammy-award winning American music producer and songwriter.