Surname Rehagen - Meaning and Origin

Rehagen: What does the surname Rehagen mean?

The last name Rehagen means “one from a reed hedge” and is said to come from locations in both Germany and Switzerland. It is a German and Swiss topographical surname, which originated when someone of the Rehagen name lived in a location near a reed hedge.

The origins of the Rehagen surname date back to the Middle Ages, where a person living near, or surrounded by, a reed or grass hedge would earn the name “Rehagen”, as it literally translates to “one from a reed hedge”. In the 14th century, the Rehagen name was most likely used to describe someone living in a rural area, though it’s likely the name originated much earlier.

The Rehagen name is thought to have been taken to the United States and Canada by a small group of Rehagen immigrants who were mainly from Germany or Switzerland, although there were also a few families who came from Austria. Since then, Rehagen surname has spread across the United States, and is also found in other countries.

It is estimated that there are around 2,000 people who bear the Rehagen surname in the US, and it is a relatively rare surname - nonetheless, the Rehagen name continues to exist and has been passed on through generations, ensuring that the German and Swiss history of the Rehagen name stay alive forever.

Rehagen: Where does the name Rehagen come from?

The last name Rehagen is most commonly found in regions of Germany, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. In Germany, Rehagen is most prevalently found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Within the Scandinavia region, it is most common in Denmark and Sweden.

In the present day, the Rehagens can be found living across the world, in places such as the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Scotland. In the US, the surname is most frequently found in states such as New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Virginia. The surname ranks around 18507 in the US Census population statistics.

In Canada, the surname Rehagen is found in the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec. Within the United Kingdom, Rehagen is reportedly the 10th most common last name in Scotland, and the 42nd most common name in England and Wales.

It is quite likely that most of the individuals who bear the Rehagen surname, trace their lineage back to the region in and around Germany and the Netherlands. From there,trailblazers with this last name were able to carve out a new life in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Rehagen

The surname Rehagen has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations of Rehagen include Rehgen, Reagen, Reegen, Reegin, Reggen, Regen, Regan, Reggan, Rahegan, Rahagen, Rahgen, Regano, Rehgan, Rehgen, and Rehgin. Generally, surnames that sound and look similar often have some form of shared history and intentions behind them.

The most common version of the Rehagen surname is Rehagen, which is the German form of the name, and is found mainly in the region around Hamburg and Bremen. Along with being a regional reference, the name likely also has French roots, as Rehagen is believed to be a French nickname for ‘red one’, a reference to the fair color of one’s hair.

The Rehagen surname is also seen in a few American forms, including Reagen, Reggen, and Reegen, all of which are found in the Midwest and South. It appears as though the Americanization of the name may have been done by people coming from German-speaking nations such as Germany and Austria.

The surname Rehagen is also seen in Scandinavia, primarily in Sweden. In Sweden, the name can be spelled as Rehgen, Regen, Reggen, and other variations. Additionally, the name is found in other nations across Europe as Reggan, Rahagen, and Rahgen, as well as in Poland, where it is found as Regano.

Overall, the surname Rehagen has numerous variants,spellings, and surnames related to it, which are found around Europe, Scandinavia, and the United States. While some of these versions may have been modernized or Americanized, they likely all refer back to an original shared history and intention.

Famous people with the name Rehagen

• Alex Rehage: Actor and Producer most known for his role in the horror film series 'Hell House LLC'.
• Doug Rehagen: Professional race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League and American Speed Association.
• Chris Rehage: Former NFL player who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 1994 to 2001.
• Bill Rehagen: Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1928-1930.
• Jessica Rehagen: Professional golfer who has competed on the LPGA tour.
• Alex Rehagen: CEO and founder of Ogilvy & Mather's digital media and technology division.
• Jordan Rehagen: Professional surfer who competed on the ASP World Tour from 2009-2012.
• Rob Rehagen: Professional snowboarder and five-time X Games medalist.
• Christine Rehagen: Award-winning composer whose music has been featured in films and commercials.
• Paul Rehagen: Broadcast journalist and former U.S. correspondent for the German news magazine Focus.

Other surnames

RehagRehageRehagel