Surname Reithmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Reithmayr: What does the surname Reithmayr mean?
The last name Reithmayr is a German name that originated in Bavaria, Germany. The traditional meaning of the name Reithmayr comes from two distinct words. The first word, reith, is derived from the Old High German word for 'ride'. The second word, mayr, is derived from the Old High German word meaning 'power' or 'majesty'. Together, these two words form the traditional meaning of Reithmayr, which is 'to ride with power'.
The traditional origins of this name also represent the German concept of Stolz, or 'pride'. It was said that those who bore this last name should have the pride to be able to ride with power into battle and win. Having the courage and strength of a Reithmayr was something to be celebrated in German culture.
The people who originally bore the name were most likely knights, warriors, or members of the ruling class due to the strong association of power and pride associated with the name. The name Reithmayr has continued to be used as an honorable title in Germany today and is sometimes even used in the naming of German horses for their strength and courage. The name Reithmayr is still seen in Bavaria today and is still associated with strength and power.
Order DNA origin analysisReithmayr: Where does the name Reithmayr come from?
The last name Reithmayr is a German surname, first appearing in the archaeological record in the eighteenth century in Bavaria and Austria. It is most common today in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
In Austria, the Reithmayr name is the 340th most common last name. It is most prevalent in the northern state of Vorarlberg, followed by the states of Tyrol and Upper Austria. In the Czech Republic, the name is much less common, ranking 6,661st among the country’s surnames. In Hungary, it ranks 3,888th.
Outside of Europe, the last name Reithmayr is fairly rare. It has been recorded in the US, Brazil, and Argentina. According to the Social Security Administration, it ranks 35,720th in the US, although this number may be higher due to immigrants from Austria or other countries where the name is more common.
Researcher Charles Reithmayr has traced the Reithmayr family back to 18th Century Bavaria, where it likely originated from the small town of Reithmayr. Numerous Reithmeyer families still live in the area, although the name has evolved and changed throughout the centuries. Today, the Reithmayr name is still prevalent in certain areas of Europe, although it is not as common as it once was.
Variations of the surname Reithmayr
Reithmayr is an uncommon German surname, which is derived from the personal name Rait. It’s variants and spellings include Reithmayer, Reithmeier, Reietmeir, Reithmair, Reich matey, Reithmeyer, Rite Mayre, Reitmeier, Reitmayer, Reitbaum, Reitbauer, Retmayer and Reit.
The history of the Reithmayr surname is closely linked to Bavaria, Umgebung in Bavaria, Germany. This region is the birthplace for many of the Reithmayer lines. The name itself derives from the Old German word “ravet” which means “judge”. This suggests that the Reithmayr family may have been involved in the judicial system in the area at one point.
Over time, some members of the Reithmayr family changed their surname to Reithmayer, Reithmeier, or Reietmeir. Others may have used the spelling Reichmatey, which could be derived from the Middle High German word “richedemeier” which translates to “sorcerer” or “magician”.
Other spellings may have been adopted in different regions. For example, Reit became a popular spelling in the area of Silesia, which today is part of Poland. In the region of North-Eastern Bavaria, the spelling Retmayer was more popular.
As surnames are passed down through generations, it’s very likely that many family members have different spellings and they may not even be aware of it. It’s important to remember that all of these variants and spellings are closely related and could all be part of the same Reithmayr family line.
Famous people with the name Reithmayr
- Steve Reithmayr: Award-winning American songwriter, music producer and artist.
- Amy Reithmayr: Award-winning American poet, fiction writer and essayist.
- Marie Reithmayr: Famed Austrian-born American artist, known for her surrealist paintings.
- Laura Reithmayr: International Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer.
- Stephen Reithmayr: Noted American chef and restaurateur, owner of Reithmayr Restaurant Group.
- Vietta Reithmayr: Legendary Austrian-born American opera singer.
- Richard Reithmayr: Award-winning American architect, known for his modernist designs.
- Alex Reithmayr: Multi-platinum Australian singer/songwriter.
- John Reithmayr: Noted American political scientist, professor emeritus at Stanford University.
- Frank Reithmayr: Noted German-born Austrian chemist and industrialist, who developed the chemical formula for TNT.