Surname Reiffer - Meaning and Origin
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Reiffer: What does the surname Reiffer mean?
The last name Reiffer is believed to be of German origin, with possible variations such as Reifer and Refiner. It likely descends from a personal name, Raginfrid, which is composed of the elements “ragin” meaning counsel or advice, and “frid” meaning peace/protection. In Middle High German, this name was associated with a chief counselor or advisor.
The name Reiffer itself came into use as a surname in the Middle Ages, and was most popular in the areas of northwest Germany. It is found in records beginning in the 1500s, in locales like Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony. By the 18th and 19th centuries, bearers of the name Reiffer had spread out to areas such as the United States and Canada.
Today, people with the last name Reiffer are found in many countries around the world. They remain connected to their ancestral roots through common values of wisdom, council, and protection. They are believed to be computer-savvy and generally resourceful, and serve as advisors and counselors to those around them.
Order DNA origin analysisReiffer: Where does the name Reiffer come from?
The last name Reiffer is most commonly associated with Germanic and Dutch populations. The Reiffer surname is recorded in North American immigration records dating back to the 1700s.
In the United States, the Reiffer name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, with a heavy concentration in Philadelphia and the southeastern portion of the state. According to the US Census of 2000, 25,800 people reported the Reiffer surname, with the highest concentration being in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania also has one of the largest German-speaking populations, which means many of the Reiffer surname holders in the US are of German-American ancestry.
In Canada, the Reiffer name is more commonly found in Ontario and Saskatchewan. According to 2016 Canadian Census data, 6,723 people reported the Reiffer surname, with the majority of them being located in Ontario.
In Europe, the Reiffer name is most heavily concentrated in Germany. German surnames are generally very localized, and the Reiffer surname is no different: it can be found mostly in the northern region of Baden-Württemberg, near the city of Heidelberg.
Overall, the Reiffer surname is most heavily concentrated in Germany, Pennsylvania, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. It is also to be found in other countries including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France.
Variations of the surname Reiffer
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Reiffer include:
Reifer, Reifers, Reiffers, Riefer, Riefers, Riefersz, Ryffers, Reiferer, Reiffer, Riefer, Refers, Ripers and Reifers.
Reiffer is an archaic Ashkenazi Jewish surname found mainly in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. It is an occupational name derived from the German word "reif" meaning "smoke" or "frost" because it was used to denote someone who was a ryefeller or reever who was in charge of drying and curing building materials, such as wood or brick.
Historically, the Reiffers family was involved in the production of rye, a grain that enjoyed a monopoly in some regions. They were one of many groups of Jews who worked as farmers or rural traders.
The name Reiffer may also have originated as a sobriquet or nickname applied to a frosty, cold person. In German, it was not uncommon to give nicknames to family members based on their physical characteristics or personalities.
The spellings and surnames Reifer, Reifers, Reiffers, Riefer, Riefers, Riefersz, Ryffers, Reiferer, Reiffer, Riefer, Refers and Ripers all have the same origin and are derived from the same root - the German word 'reif'.
The surname Reiffer is an archaic Jewish surname that is still found today in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and other parts of the world. Its history is steeped in the trade of rye farming and curing materials, as well as a possible origin as a nickname for a cold, frosty person.
Famous people with the name Reiffer
- Rob Reiffer — a commercial photographer, director, and cinematographer who works with advertising clients including Nike, Microsoft, and McDonald's
- Jimmy Reiffer — a German footballer
- Jean-Jacques Reiffer — a Swiss luger
- David Reiffer — Senior Manager Global Digital, Analytic & Database Marketing for Farfetch
- Craig Reiffer — an American film director
- Carsten Reiffer — a German mathematician
- Rebekka Reiffer — a Financial Adviser at Transamerica
- Joshua Reiffer — a 3D Environment Artist for Rockstar North
- Valentina Reiffer — a Spanish radio and TV presenter
- Ed Reiffer — an American artist and sculptor