Surname Reifferscheid - Meaning and Origin

Reifferscheid: What does the surname Reifferscheid mean?

The last name Reifferscheid is derived from a place name, specifically a locality named Reiffersheid located in Germany. It is derived from the Old Germanic name of ‘rowers hut’ and was first recorded in 1270, when a Reifferscheid was mentioned in an official document. The name literally means ‘a clearing in a wood’ and is descriptive of the area.

The area of Reiffersheid is located in the Lower Rhine region of Germany, close to the Dutch border and is known for its forests. In spite of its small size, the locality has a long history. It was owned by the Church and used as an outback for many centuries and is mentioned in records from as far back as the 9th century. In the Middle Ages, Reiffersheid was populated and there is evidence of people living there during the 13th century.

The last name Reifferscheid is likely derived from the people living in the area of Reiffersheid, rather than its topographical or historical significance. The name is found in many different parts of the world today and is quite common. It represents a Germanic way of life and a long, shared history in one area.

Reifferscheid: Where does the name Reifferscheid come from?

The surname Reifferscheid is a German name, and it is most commonly found in Germany. The Rhineland region of Germany, bordering France and Belgium, is where the most Reifferscheid families are located. This region is on the western side of the country, and it includes the cities of Koblenz, Cologne, and Bonn.

The family name Reifferscheid is an occupational name, derived from the German word "Referscheid," which means "strong-handed." This is a reference to a person who worked in some sort of strength-related profession, such as a blacksmith, farmer, or soldier. It is possible that the Reifferscheid family has its roots in one of these professions.

The spread of the Reifferscheid family was closely connected to the Roman Empire. Reifferscheid families are known to have lived in the present day region of Baden-Wurttemberg, which was part of the Roman Empire at various times in history. The Reifferscheid family is also found in Bavaria and other parts of Germany that were under Roman rule.

Outside of Germany, the Reifferscheid family can be found in countries that have historically had strong ties with Germany. These countries include Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In more recent times, many people with the last name Reifferscheid can also be found in the United States, since many immigrants from German-speaking states moved there during the 19th century.

Variations of the surname Reifferscheid

The surname Reifferscheid has many other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most of these variants are regional and can be traced back to the original German origin of the Reifferscheid family. The most common spelling is Rieferscheid, which is the standard German spelling. Other spellings include Rifferscheid, Reiferscheid, Reiffersheid, Reifersheid, and Refersheid.

In addition, there are a variety of surnames of the same origin as Reifferscheid. These include variants of the original surname as well as names derived from the original surname. Some of these surnames with the same origin as Reifferscheid are Riefferscheid, Referscheid, Riefferstedt, Reifferstedt, Reifersurt, Reifersdorff, and Reifersdorf.

Furthermore, there are many surnames based on the phonetic pronunciation of Reifferscheid. These surnames include Ripperscheid, Rippenscheid, Repserscheid, Reepserscheid, Ruzzersheid, and Reummelerscheid.

Another variant spelling is Reifferschied, which is the variant most likely to be seen outside of Germany. This variation of the surname is usually found in the United States.

Ultimately, the surname Reifferscheid has a variety of spellings and derivations, all of which trace back to its original German origin. This variety is indicative of a long and diverse history, one that is likely to be different for each family.

Famous people with the name Reifferscheid

• Ambros Reifferscheid (1847-1925), Austrian military officer and Scultan of Sultanate of Sulu
• Rudolf Reifferscheid (1805-1863), Austrian geologist and palaeontologist
• Ferdinand Reifferscheid (1862-1943), Austrian diplomat
• Gerd-Helmut Reifferscheid (born 1951), German sprint canoer
• Christian Reifferscheid (born 1982), German football player
• Maximilian Reifferscheid (1829-1893), German civil engineer
• Eugene J. Reifferscheid (1868-1937), American lawyer and politician
• Bernhard Reifferscheid (1895-1959), German film score composer
• Erhard Reifferscheid (born 1963), German sprint canoer
• Karl Reifferscheid (1872-1946), Austrian chemist

Other surnames

Reifferscheidt