Surname Reimarus - Meaning and Origin

Reimarus: What does the surname Reimarus mean?

The last name Reimarus is of German origin and translates to "the home of Raimar". It is likely derived from the German personal name Raimar, or the French Raymond. This given name comes from the Germanic elements "ragin", meaning counsel, and "mar", meaning famous. As such, the name Reimarus can be interpreted as the "home of the famous counsel".

The surname Reimarus is associated with a theatrical family of the same name, which includes the famous German stage actor Johann Friedrich Reimarus (1727-17 75). Reimarus was the son of J.H. Reimarus, a popular actor in Neustrelitz, Germany. After making his debut as a young actor in 1745, Johann Friedrich established himself as a successful and respected actor. He later toured throughout Germany, Austria and Bohemia, where he won critical acclaim as an actor and playwright.

The Reimarus family remained highly influential in German drama during the 19th century. Reimarus’s nephew, Bernhardt, was a celebrated acting teacher and troupe leader whose curriculum found widespread use across Germany. In fact, the famous “Reimarus School” became a standard for stage instruction, and Bernhardt’s work even influenced Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Reimarus family’s legacy is still felt today. The surname Reimarus appears in the family trees of some of the world’s most notable actors, writers, and musicians, including German playwright and director Max Reinhardt, singer-songwriter Liane Reimarus, and filmmaker Alexander Reimarus. As such, the last name Reimarus embodies a history of theatrical renown and a tradition that continues to reverberate in the global art and entertainment industries.

Reimarus: Where does the name Reimarus come from?

The last name Reimarus is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a variation of the common German surname Reckmeier, which itself is derived from the Old German name Reimhir or Raimher, which means “powerful home”. The Reimarus coat of arms is found throughout Germany on documents, shields, and other heraldic symbols.

The Reimarus name is most prevalent in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in the cities of Dortmund, Essen, and Oberhausen. As well as in Berlin and the German Ruhr area. In addition, the surname has a notable presence in Austria and Switzerland, although much less so than in Germany.

Reimarus is an unusual surname and it is particularly common among those of German background, either those who have recently immigrated or those of German ancestry living in the United States, South America, and Australia. It is also sometimes seen in some countries of eastern Europe.

Today, the surname Reimarus is found all over the world, revealing the vast reach of German emigration throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Reimarus

Reimarus (also spelled Reinmar, Reimers and Reimer) is a German surname of patronymic origin. It is derived from the given name Reimar, which is an old Germanic name of uncertain origin. It could be derived from the Germanic elements “rin”, meaning “argue” and “mar”, meaning “famous”.

Variants of the Reimarus surname include, but are not limited to, Reinmayer, Reinmberger, Reimers, Reimerer, Reimenshneider, and Reimenschneider. Reinmayer is a variant of the surname stemming from the name Reimarus, but it originates from the old Germanic element “mayer”, meaning “Mayor”, rather than the personal name Reimar. Reinmberger and Reimers are variations of the surname that are derived from the occupation of Reimar being a mayor, as the suffix “berger” denotes a town magistrate, and “ers” being a short form of the occupational title “ers”, meaning bakers.

Reimenshneider and Reimenschneider are also variants of the Reimarus surname. These two variations are derived from the old Germanic word “schneider”, meaning “tailor”. Thus, this surname is derived from the personal name Reimar being a tailor. The “sh” suffix denotes that the ancestor who held this occupation was usually higher ranking than a regular tailor, and probably worked for the ruling class.

Therefore, the different variations of the Reimarus surname are derived from the old Germanic personal given name Reimar, as well as from the various professions that Reimar likely had.

Famous people with the name Reimarus

• Peter Reimarus: a German philosopher, theologian and scientist of the Enlightenment Era. He is best known for his work, Thoughts on the True Estimation of Living Forces.
• Hermann Samuel Reimarus: a German philosopher, theologian and philologist. He is most well-known for his research into early Christianity.
• Anton Reimarus: a German botanist and pharmacist. He is best known for publishing the first botanical compendium catalogue of medicinal plants and herbs for his time.
• Thomas Reimarus: a German classical philologist and natural scientist. He is most famous for his biography on the Greek philosopher Epicurus.
• Ernst Ludwig Reimarus: a German historian and librarian. He is well-known for his research into the history of the German East India Company.
• Christian August Reimarus: a German physicist. He is best known for his research into the nature of electricity and magnetism.
• Franklin Robert Reimarus: a German-American geneticist. He is most well-known for his research into the genetic components of mental illness.
• Robert Reimarus: a German author and editor. He is best known for a series of essays on the nature of life and philosophy.
• Constantin Reimarus: a German poet and literary critic. He is most famous for his translations of Greek and Latin texts and his critiques of contemporary literature.
• Holger Reimarus: a German composer, conductor and arranger. He is most well-known for composing orchestral suites and choral works.

Other surnames

Reimar