Surname Reifengerst - Meaning and Origin
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Reifengerst: What does the surname Reifengerst mean?
The last name Reifengerst is of German origin and is believed to stem from the Central German phrase “‘ein Reifenberger". This expression was used to describe someone from a hilly region which was surrounded by thick woods or forests. The name was also used to describe a person who was an inhabitant of a small or outlying area that resided on the fringes of a larger settlement.
The first known reference to the surname was found in documents in the Germanic state of Thuringia near the river Werra in present day Germany, dated 1220. The name is also found in Switzerland.
The literal meaning of the name Reifengerst is thought to be "one living amongst the meadows". It could have derived from the Middle High German "rieffen" which stands for clearing or straightening. This suggests that the original members of the Reifengerst family were land developers.
The Reifengerst surname is most common in Germany and Austria, although it can also be found throughout Europe. It has many spelling variations including Reifersberg, Reiffenberg, Reifenberger, Reiffenberger, Reifenbeck, Reiffenbeck, Reiffinghausen, and Reiffenshausen.
The surname has strong connections with the past and is found in records from the Middle Ages. Though less common today, the name holds a special place in the history of Germany. The Reifengerst family can trace its roots to a long line of individuals who were proud of their heritage and worked relentlessly to provide for their loved ones.
Order DNA origin analysisReifengerst: Where does the name Reifengerst come from?
The last name Reifengerst is a German surname and is still common across Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is also found in certain parts of Eastern Europe such as Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The earliest recorded variant of this surname was ‘Reifengärst’, which can be found in records from the 16th and 17th centuries in the Rhineland. Reifengerst is also sometimes found as a variant of Reifenbergerst, Reifenberger, or Refenberger.
The meaning of the name Reifengerst is thought to come from "Reifen" meaning tyres or wheels, with "Gärst" most likely derived from "Garten" meaning garden or yard. It is therefore likely that this name originated with a person who worked with tyres and set up a tyre yard.
In modern times, the surname can be found most prominently in the US, where it is found in the states of Illinois, California, and Wisconsin, amongst others. Here, it is thought to have been brought over by German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. It can also be found in Australia, where it arrived with German migrants during the 1850s gold rush.
Overall, the last name Reifengerst is still quite common today and can be found across Europe and North America in populations of German ancestry.
Variations of the surname Reifengerst
Reifengerst is a German surname originating from the Middle High German words “reife” and “gerst”, with “reife” roughly meaning to mature and “gerst” referring to the short grain cereal.
Variants of the family name Reifengerst include Reifingelst, Reifenegerst, Reifenngerst, Reifinggerst, Reifelgerst, Reiffelgerst, and Reifenkelst.
Surnames of the same origin include Ringelst, Ringesor, Ringerst, Ringsder, Ringsen, Ringerster, ringsost, and Ringelster.
Spellings of the Reifengerst surname include Reiffengerst, Raifingerst, Reiffenster, Rheffengerst, Reiffengest, Reifenjenster, Reifengerest, and Reeifengerst.
Other variants of Reifengerst include Rhefengerst and Reiffingherst.
Lastly, anglicized versions of the surname have been documented, including Royfersore and Raffenshor.
Famous people with the name Reifengerst
- Kenneth Reifenstahl: Former NFL Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers
- Anthony Reifenberg: Former Professional Tennis Player
- Roger Reifenstahl: Former NBA Basketball Player
- Joseph Reifenstahl: Actor, Producer and Writer
- Jean Reifenstahl: Opera Singer and Conductor
- Ann Reifenstahl: Former Figure Skating Champion
- Neil Reifenstahl: Business Executive and Lawyer
- Eric Reifenstahl: Professional Golfer
- Linda Reifenstahl: Artist and Sculptor
- Erik Reifenstahl: Olympic Speed Skater