Surname Ratner - Meaning and Origin
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Ratner: What does the surname Ratner mean?
The last name Ratner is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname derived from the German personal name “Rattner”, which is an occupational name for a collector of revenue or taxes. The name itself is derived from the German word “raten” which means “to assess” or “to rate”, and the suffix “-er”, which denoted a person associated with a certain job or occupation.
The ancient family names of Ratner are believed to have originated during the Middle Ages, when Jews along with other non-Christians were prohibited from owning land in many parts of Europe. Consequently, many Jews took the practice of using a surname to differentiate themselves, and also to pay their taxes to the rulers of the lands.
Some of the earliest recorded Ratner's are of rabbinical origins, with the family established by a Rabbi named Rabbi Joel Ratner, who lived in the 13th century in the German city of Trier. Rabbi Joel wrote a commentary, referred to as the Ratner Bible, which has had a profound influence on the Rabbinic literature.
The Ratner surname can be found in Jewish families all over the world today, including in the US, Israel, Europe, Australia, Canada and South America. The Ratner's have contributed to many areas in their societies, ranging from the sciences to the arts. The Ratner family is made up of intellectuals, artists, scientists, activists, entrepreneurs and scholars who have shaped the world around them.
Order DNA origin analysisRatner: Where does the name Ratner come from?
The last name Ratner is commonly found in many countries today, including the United States, Canada, Israel, and Germany.
In the United States, Ratner is most commonly found in New York, where it is the 9,883rd most common last name. Other states with many Ratners include New Jersey, California, Maryland,and Illinois. Additionally, Ratner is a common name in Pennsylvania, where there are over 2,500 people with the last name.
In Canada, Ratner is particularly common in Ontario, where it is the 3,197th most common last name. It is also seen in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.
In Israel, the name Ratner is particularly found among the Jewish population, where it is the 955th most common name as of 2018. It is also seen in Germany, where ther are over 500 people with the last name.
Overall, the last name Ratner can be found in many countries throughout the world. It is particularly prominent in the United States, Canada, Israel, and Germany. In all of these places, it is a relatively common name with many people sharing it.
Variations of the surname Ratner
The surname Ratner is quite varied in its spelling and variants. It is thought to have originated from the German "Rathner", but has since changed to a variety of forms around the world.
The most common spelling variations of the surname Ratner include Ratner, Radner, Radnor, Ratnor, Rattten, Rattin, Rotnner, and Rattinger. There are also spellings and variants which include hatner, Ratner, Ratterness, Roener, Rottin, and Rongner. In some cases, the name has become "Rodezer," after its root Jewish element.
The use of a hyphen in the surname is also common, to differentiate versions of the surname Ratner. Some examples include Ra-tner, Rat-ner, Rat-tenr, Ratten-er, Rot-tenr, Rott-in, ro-ener, and Ron-gner.
Surnames with similar roots to Ratner include: Rader, Radford, Redner, Redford, Rufener, Rutner, Rutten, and Rotella.
In Jewish communities specifically, the surname Ratner is often written as "Ratinov," which is a transliteration of the Russian spelling of the name. In some cases, this spelling is used in the United States and Canada as well.
The surname Ratner is much more widespread than originally thought, with its many variants and spellings. It has a long history with many cultures and languages, and remains an interesting and unique family name.
Famous people with the name Ratner
- Brett Ratner: American filmmaker and music video director.
- Abram Ratner: American artist and illustrator.
- Diego Ratner: Argentine film director, producer and screenwriter.
- Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen: American historian and author.
- Judith Ratner: American doctor and gerontologist.
- Marc Ratner: American businessman and MMA executive.
- Michael Ratner: American attorney and civil rights activist.
- Rebecca Ratner: American professor of marketing.
- Richard Ratner: American professor, economist, and public official.
- Rabbi Mordechai Ratner: American rabbi, prolific author, and lecturer.
- Moshé Ratner: Israeli movie director, producer, and writer.
- Sarah Ratner: American entrepreneur and media executive.
- Solon Ratner: American dentist and author.
- Harry Ratner: British singer and music producer.
- Akiva Ratner: American private investor.
- Eugenie Ratner: American singer and actress.
- Jacob Ratner: French-born American educator and Jewish communal leader.
- Solomon Ratner: American rabbi and educator.
- Abraham Ratner: American philanthropist.
- Maury and Noel Ratner: Second-generation American business owners.