Surname Riefle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Riefle: What does the surname Riefle mean?
The last name Riefle is of German origin and is a locational name meaning "a person from Riefle, a village in the German state of Bavaria." Records of the name date to 1575 when a Friz Riffel was found in the town of Rufenhausen, located in the county of Furth.
The surname was first found in Bavaria, where the family became one of the most important in the region and acquired a reputation for expertise and knowledge in the fields of politics, military service, and local government.
The family also established itself in other parts of the country and in America, where it spread to Pennsylvania, then to Ohio, and eventually to other parts of the Midwest. By the 20th century, the Riefles had spread out to many regions in the United States.
The earliest recorded use of the name Riefle is from 1620 where it was used as part of a formal baptism of Heinrich Jost or Riefle, a German legendary figure. Usually, the Riefles were sign makers and/or owners of shops and taverns.
The Riefles are a proud and friendly bunch with a fondness for learning, the arts and music. They also value their heritage and many of them are very committed to staying connected to their extended family and keeping up on the events of their line.
Order DNA origin analysisRiefle: Where does the name Riefle come from?
The last name Riefle is most common in the United States, specifically in the Midwestern region. According to Ancestry.com, the highest concentration of the name Riefle in the United States is located in the states of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
The history of the Riefle surname can be traced back to the Germanic tribes of western Europe during the 10th and 11th centuries, when it was a common name among high-ranking families. It is believed to be derived from the Rhineland region of Germany, and is thought to mean "brushwood," which describes a type of dense brush found in forests.
Today, the Riefle name is often found in German-American communities. The name is also used to describe a liqueur, Riefle, which is made from a local wild berry found in parts of Germany.
Since the Riefles originally came from Germany, the name is still common there today as well. Census records show that Germany has more than 1,000 people sharing the Riefle name. Additionally, other countries that have concentrations of Riefles include Austria, France, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Riefle
The surname Riefle has various spellings including Rifel, Riffle, Ryfel, Rife, and Ryfle. The latter two spellings of Riefle are the most common variant, which are further divided into different ethnic groups.
The earliest documented traceable variant of the Riefle surname is believed to be derived from Germany and Switzerland. The surname is now found in many European countries including Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium.
In some parts of Eastern Europe such as Ukraine and Belarus, the variations of the surname may be spelled with a ‘y’ instead of an ‘i’ - Ryfel or Ryfle. This spelling also appears in other countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Variants of Riefle surname with different spellings can also be found in other parts of the world including Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia and New Zealand. Another widely used Riefle surname variant is Riffle, which is mostly used in the United States, Canada and England.
In Germany, the Riefle family was known to be prominent in the Bavarian city of Augsburg. The Jewish surname, Riefel, is also derived from Riefle; this form is common amongst Jewish families settled in Holland, Germany, Austria, France and the Czech Republic.
In France, Riefle is known to be a variation of the name Réville. The Réville surname has its roots in an ancient Norman surname Réveille, which is derived from the Latin word ‘revelare’, meaning ‘to wake up’.
The surname Riefle, has endured a long history in various forms and can be found in many countries around the world. It is recorded that more than 20,000 people in the United States are currently carrying this surname today.
Famous people with the name Riefle
- Samantha Riefle: actress best known for her role as Faith on the television series, Palo Alto.
- Edward Reifel: award-winning film producer and director.
- Peter Reifel: former Chairman of the National Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- Al Reifel: American artist and entrepreneur, best known for his paintings of the Southwest.
- Carl Riefle: American Lawyer and entrepreneur best known for his work on corporate mergers and acquisitions.
- John F. Reifel: Former President of the National Parking Association.
- Robert Reifel: Founder of Federal Financial Group, a leading international private equity and venture capital firm.
- Danny Reifel: Former Professional NBA basketball player.
- William Reifel: American Priest and theologian, best known for his contributions to the Episcopal Church.
- Scott Reifel: Musician, producer, and songwriter, most notably known for his work with the band Saint Adolf.