Surname Reiferscheid - Meaning and Origin

Reiferscheid: What does the surname Reiferscheid mean?

The last name Reiferscheid is of German origin and is derived from the place name Reiferscheid, which is located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. The earliest mention of Reiferscheid was recorded in the year 765 as pulmonary. Its alternative spellings are Reifferscheid, Reiffersheid and Rieferscheid.

The literal meaning of Reiferscheid is ‘clearing in a rocky area’. The name could also have developed from the Middle High German words ‘rich’, meaning powerful, and ‘schede’, meaning enclosure or hedged area. The name’s evolution is slightly different between regions, leading to the formation of various variations of the same name.

People with the last name Reiferscheid make up a small but global community. The earliest records of the name can be traced to the modern-day city of Augsburg in Bavaria, Germany. However, there is also evidence of the surname in the Netherlands, United States and Australia.

Reiferscheid is associated with several notable people. For instance, Christian Reifferscheid was the abbot of Echternach, Luxembourg in the 12th century; Louis Bavon Reiferscheid was an industrialist and philanthropist in Louisiana in the 1800s; while Edgar Reiferscheid was a German mathematician in the 19th century.

Overall, the last name Reiferscheid has a long history and is associated with a strong sense of community. The origin of the name indicates its bearer arose from a powerful background, and many bearers of Reiferscheid have gone on to make significant contributions to their societies.

Reiferscheid: Where does the name Reiferscheid come from?

The last name Reiferscheid is most commonly found in Germany. Since 1600, the spread of Reiferscheid to surrounding countries such as The Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France has shifted the primary population of Reiferscheid heritage to Germany. Reiferscheid is a German family name, with the prefix “Reifer” for somebody who achieved a certain degree, meaning “successful” as a modernized take .

The most concentrated population of Reiferscheid heritage in Germany are in Sachsen, Thüringen, and Niedersachsen. However, due to immigration, integration, and the advancement of technology, the population of Reiferscheid has spread worldwide. Reiferscheid is often confused for the Dutch family name “Riefferscheid”, due to the events of Napoleon and the Napoleonic wars.

Most individuals with Reiferscheid heritage will find records such as birth and marriage certificates, or Danish Civil Registration to decipher their ancestry. Countries that began their family census in the late 17th Century, such as Germany or Denmark, will have more robust history for the Reiferscheid surname.

In modern times, Reiferscheid is perpetuated by many generations living in Germany and other countries. It can be found in the German phonebook, and is visible as a typically German surname. There are even individuals with the surname Reiferscheid living in the U.S.

Variations of the surname Reiferscheid

Reiferscheid is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term "reifer" which means "royal". Variants of this surname include Reifersheid, Refferscheid, Reifferscheid, Rieferscheid, Rifferscheid, Reifersheidt and Ryfferscheidt.

The earliest known recorded spelling of the surname Reiferscheid can be traced back to 1454, when a certain Prinnse von Reiuerhsel was documented in the Book of the Orders of Swabian Knights in Rothenburg, Germany.

Reiferscheid is a patronymic surname; meaning the name originates from the name of someone's father or ancestor. This is common for German surnames, as members of the same family with the same surname often descended from a single male ancestor.

Over the centuries, the popularity of the Reiferscheid surname grew significantly. It can be found in many records all over Germany, from court documents, to passenger lists and military archives. Many members of the Reiferscheid family emigrated from Europe to the United States and other parts of the world in search of a better living.

Today, the Reiferscheid name is still found in many countries around the world, and each variant of the name has its own distinct spelling, sometimes differing slightly depending on the region. The Reiferscheid surname has evolved over time, as families have adapted their name to their own individual needs, depending on their geographical location and the language spoken around them.

Famous people with the name Reiferscheid

• William Reiferscheid (1844–1919), German cabaret artist and author
• Le Roy Reiferscheid (1916-2007), American professional baseball player
• Diana Reiferscheid (1943-2016), German writer and dramatist
• Selma Reiferscheid (born 1945), German entrepreneur and former CEO of the retail clothing chain Wohlfahrt
• David Reiferscheid (born 1962), German Bassist
• Jeffrey Reiferscheid (born 1974), American paleontologist
• John Reiferscheid (born 1979), German classical and jazz composer
• Jens Reiferscheid (born 1984), German poet and since 2019, director of the German National Library in Leipzig

Other surnames

Reiferscheidt