Surname Rehling - Meaning and Origin
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Rehling: What does the surname Rehling mean?
The last name Rehling is of German origin and is most commonly found in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein and the Austrian region of Tyrol. The name is derived from the German word "rehling" which means "heron flycatcher", and it is believed to signify a person or family who may have been specifically trained for catching herons. The heron was a bird highly valued for its feathers used in featherbeds and royal garments. Historical records indicate the Rehling family originated from a small, rural village called Rehlikon, near the city of Frankfurt.
Rehlikon has a long history of fishing, so it is likely that the Rehling family may also have been involved in this occupation. In the old days heron fishing likely served as an additional supplement to their income. Today, many Rehling families still live near the old village area and proudly carry the Rehling name.
The Rehling name is still respected today and is a reminder of the family's hard work and dedication to their livelihood. As a symbol of pride, the authorities of Rehlikon have constructed a memorial monument that lists the names of everyone that has born the Rehling name. The monument serves as a reminder of the tradition and heritage of the Rehling family.
Order DNA origin analysisRehling: Where does the name Rehling come from?
The surname Rehling is considered to be a German name, and is most commonly found in Germany today. However, it is also found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Austria.
In the United States, the surname is particularly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin. There is also a notable concentration of Rehlings in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, there's a small number of Rehlings in Long Island, New York.
In Canada, the surname is most commonly found in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. There are also concentrations of Rehlings in the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Edmonton.
The surname can also be found in other countries around the world, including Austria, Poland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
In comparison to other German surnames, Rehling is considered to be relatively uncommon. Despite this, members of the Rehling family can be found all over the world.
Variations of the surname Rehling
The surname Rehling is of German origin and can be spelt in multiple Variant forms such as Rehlich, Rehle, Rehel, Rehling and Rehlinge. Rehling can also be spelt with an ‘-er’ at the end, such as Rehlinger or Rehlinger. It is possible for the surname to also be spelt in any other dialects of the German language, such as Rhaling, Rheling or Reeling.
The surname ‘Rehling’ is derived from the personal name Rehli and is an occupational name referring to someone who is a ‘hunter’ or ‘gamekeeper’. The surname is believed to have originated from the Bavarian region of Germany, however, is now found throughout most of the German-speaking regions. Some of the earliest known records of the surname can be traced back to 1233, belonging to a family living in the village of Rehlings in Bavaria, Germany.
The surname is also found around other German lands, such as Austria, Switzerland and other areas of the German diaspora, such as the United States and Canada. It also has a prevalence in modern-day France.
Some associated surnames of Rehling include Rahling, Rehl, Rehls, Rehman, Rehle, Rehlinge and Rehlingr. It is also possible for the surname to be found among other variants, such as Reehling or Rehlinger.
Famous people with the name Rehling
- Verena Rehling: Verena Rehling is a Swiss-born actress and model, widely known for her work in the international film industry and for starring in films like Working Worlds (2007), Heart of Love (2008) and Karol 2 (2017).
- Ray Rehling: Ray Rehling is a former NBA player who played for the Boston Celtics in the 1977-78 season.
- Laura Rehling: Laura Rehling is a professional tennis player who represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
- Jeff Rehling: Jeff Rehling is an American film director and producer known for his work on the films Freeway (1996) and The Salton Sea (2002).
- Richard Rehling: Richard Rehling was a 19th-century American politician. He served as the Lt. Governor of Wisconsin and was a U.S. congressman from 1883 to 1885.
- Ed Rehling: Ed Rehling is a former professional American football player who played for the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos during the 1974-75 season.
- Frank Rehling: Frank Rehling was a World War I and II veteran who later became a renowned radio broadcaster, having worked on shows including The Shadow, X Minus One, Suspense, and Quiz Kids.
- Richard Rehling II: Richard Rehling II was an American musician and record producer who produced numerous albums for bands, including the Ramones and Love.
- Brigitte Rehling: Brigitte Rehling is a Swiss martial artist and judoka, and a 3-time Swiss Judo champion.
- Kristen Rehling: Kristen Rehling is an American singer-songwriter who has released three charting albums so far.