Surname Reiffel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reiffel: What does the surname Reiffel mean?
The surname Reiffel is most likely of German origin. The name is derived from the German word "Rief," which means "strongly gushing" or "roaring" and was likely used as a nickname for someone demonstrating an assertive and enthusiastic personality. It is also possible that the surname is derived from a given name, such as "Riefhard," which also includes the word "Rief" as part of the name.
Reiffel is most popular in Germany, with many families in regions such as Hessen, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria tracing their ancestry back to the region.
The Reiffels in the United States probably emigrated from Germany in the 17th to 19th centuries. As with many other German surnames, Reiffel has been somewhat Americanized to Reifel or Riffel.
Although the name has become much rarer since its peak in the late 19th century, it still persists today in families across the United States, which has a vibrant history of German immigration and German-American culture.
The name Reiffel can be seen as a reminder that a person's character can be interpreted through their name if they are passionate, strong-willed, and deeply rooted. It can also be seen as a beautiful representation of the heritage of German people, and how they have made their mark on the world through their names.
Order DNA origin analysisReiffel: Where does the name Reiffel come from?
The last name Reiffel is most commonly seen in Germany and parts of Europe today. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, and derived from the Germanic words "Reif" meaning 'rake' and "El" meaning 'God'. Consequently the name could have been brought to the region in Germanic migration waves of the early Middle Ages, and could have been brought by settlers from the area around the Rhineland.
Today the name Reiffel is usually found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, and even the Netherlands. It could also be seen in countries that have a large population of German immigrants like the United States, Canada, Chile, and Argentina.
The name is simply spelled "Reiffel" in German, however, it is also found as Rieffel, Reifel, and Rifel in some countries. In the United States and Canada the last name is commonly anglicised as Rife, Rifell, Riffel, and Riffle.
Although many people with the last name Reiffel have emigrated from Europe to other countries, the name is still heard regularly within Germany today, especially in southwest regions such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Variations of the surname Reiffel
The surname Reiffel is an old French occupational name, derived from the old French word ‘Refel’, which means ‘spinner’. Over time, the surname has been spelled and pronounced differently in different parts of the world.
In North America, the surname is spelt Reiffel, however, in England, it is pronounced and spelt Reeve. In Germany, Reiffel is pronounced and spelt Reifel. The Riefel variant is common in Austria and Switzerland, and can also be found throughout Scandinavia.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Reiffel include: Reave, Reiff, Reiffle, Reifel, Riefel, Riefle, Reevel, Reeve, Reevers, Reivold, Rieve, Rivell, Rivels and Rivelst.
These variants often represent the local pronunciation or dialect of the region in which the name appeared. For example, in Germany, Reifel and Riefel were the most commonly used spellings, whilst Rivell, Reive, Reevers and Reeve were more common in England.
In addition, the surname can also be found with a variety of different spellings, and these include special names such as Reifschneider and Reifsnider. These surnames are derived from the old German trade names Reifenschneider and Reifensnider, which mean ‘spinner’.
All of these variant forms of the name Reiffel were derived from the same occupational name and have the same original meaning.
Famous people with the name Reiffel
- Paul Reiffel: Former Australian cricketer, currently an umpire
- Dan Reiffel: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Hauke Reiffel: German actor
- Jack Reiffel: Australian cricketer
- Pascal Reiffel: French actor
- Emma Reiffel: British actress and singer
- Chris Reiffel: American actor and television presenter
- Pierre Reiffel: French artist and creative director
- Jimmy Reiffel: American professional basketball player
- Johann Reiffel: German artist and sculptor
- Charley Reiffel: American movie producer
- Kelly Reiffel: American portrait artist
- Peter Reiffel: Former Australian cricketer
- Stacey Reiffel: American artist
- Adam Reiffel: British actor
- Heidi Reiffel: German writer and actress
- Maria Reiffel: German opera singer
- Alexander Reiffel: Dutch painter
- Karl Reiffel: German mountaineer
- Willy Reiffel: German video game designer