Surname Reibetanz - Meaning and Origin

Reibetanz: What does the surname Reibetanz mean?

The last name Reibetanz is of German origin and belongs to the occupational surnames category. It is derived from the Middle High German word “rieben”, which means “to rub”, and the word “tanz”, which means “dance”. Thus, the name could literally be translated to “rubbing dance”, or “dance of rubbing”.

The name was likely first used as a surname to identify individuals who were involved in the rubbing or tanning of leather, a process used to strengthen the material and make it last longer. This profession was skilled and important in Germany, as it was vital for the production of leather products.

Over time, the name Reibetanz may have taken on a metaphorical meaning, suggesting that the Reibetanz family was involved in “tough negotiations” of some kind. Perhaps this refers to their tendency to drive a hard bargain in business ventures, or even a persistence and dedication to their work that allowed them to reach a successful result.

The name Reibetanz is still found all over Germany and in many other countries, especially in North America and Australia. It is a reminder of the hard-working and resilient people of German descent who helped build these countries and overseas communities.

Reibetanz: Where does the name Reibetanz come from?

The last name Reibetanz is a common German surname, with roots tracing back to the 16th century. The name is derived from “Reibe,” the Middle High German word for wooden plane, and “Tanz,” meaning dance. Nowadays, the Reibetanz surname is most prevalent in Germany, especially in Bavaria and Saxony.

In the United States, the name Reibetanz emerged with immigrants from Germany in the 1800s. Records from the US Census Bureau indicate that the majority of those bearing the surname Reibetanz today live in the states of California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The surname Reibetanz also appears in both Austria and Canada, although family members are fewer. Interestingly, the second highest concentration of Reibetanz is in the United Kingdom, particularly in London. This is likely due to recent migration patterns from Germany to England.

Whether in Germany, the US, Canada, Austria, or the UK, those who bear the name Reibetanz can trace their roots back to an ancestor in the 16th century, connecting centuries of individuals with a common surname through the generations.

Variations of the surname Reibetanz

The Reibetanz surname is mainly recorded in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. It can be found with a variety of spellings and variants, such as Reybetanz, Reybettanz, Reubettanz, Reubertanz, Reibbentanz, Reyipantz, Reubbenzon, Reypants, Reibenstuff, Reibetans, Ribetanz, Reibentans, Reibensturf, Reibenstorf, Reibentraf, Ribbentanz, Rubbettanz, Rebbentanz, Raybentans, Reipants, Rebetantz, Rabettantz, Reibentraaf, Reibetanzs, Reibettants, Ripetanz, Reibocker, Reibrich, Reipebach, Reibsteine and Reibberg.

Researchers have found that variants of the Reibetanz surname probably refer to a "riding person". The surname is likely derived from the Old German personal name Reiper, or Reiber. The Germanic root of this name is Reid or Reido, which means ‘riding,’ most likely referring to a riding servant or messenger. The suffix -tanz is derived from the German word tanze, which means ‘dance.’ Therefore, the Reibetanz surname likely refers to a professional horse-rider or messenger.

It is also possible that the Reibetanz surname refers to the small town of Reibetanz, formerly part of East Prussian Germany. The town was first recorded in 1282 and is now located in present-day Poland. Although it is less likely, it is possible that some families may have taken on the name Reibetanz as their surname to reflect their ancestral homeland.

The Reibetanz surname is found throughout Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Poland. The variants of the Reibetanz surname provide insight into the different origins of individuals who may share a common surname.

Famous people with the name Reibetanz

• Ed Reibetanz: Canadian former political figure and lawyer from Ontario
• Andrew Reibetanz: Canadian children's author
• Darcy Reibetanz: Canadian pianist, composer, and music educator
• Kristen Reibetanz: Canadian poet and artist
• Steve Reibetanz: Music producer, songwriter, mixing engineer and multi-instrumentalist
• Hal Reibetanz: Canadian actor
• Charlotte Reibetanz: German molecular biologist
• Sam Reibetanz: American lacrosse player
• William Reibetanz: Canadian curler and broadcaster

Other surnames

Reibetantz