Surname Renftl - Meaning and Origin
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Renftl: What does the surname Renftl mean?
The last name Renftl is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German words rinftel or ranftel, which both mean "a talkative, prattling person". It is likely that the surname was originally given as a nickname, referencing a particularly talkative family member or ancestor.
Renftl is a relatively rare surname. In fact, it is estimated that only about one thousand people across the world bear the last name, with almost all of them, about ninety-five percent, residing in Germany and Austria. It is possible that the name was adopted in Austria or Germany when a family member moved to one of the countries during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Overall, Renftl is an uncommon name with an interesting history. Not only does it hearken back to Old German language, it is also a reminder that nicknames and sense of humour may have been just as important to our ancestors as they are to us today.
Order DNA origin analysisRenftl: Where does the name Renftl come from?
The last name Renftl is rarely heard today. It is an uncommon last name, with the surname being of German origin. According to records from a German-based genealogy website, "Mein Familienstammbaum," the Renftl surname comes from the Middle High German words "Ren" meaning "raven" and "Vögel," which means "bird." This suggests the surname was a name given to people who resembled a bird, either in physical appearance or behavior.
The geographical records show the surname is mainly found in Germany and Austria. The origins of the surname are located in the medieval towns of Freising, Oettingen, and Neuburg, which are located in the region of Bavaria. Bavaria is known for its strong cultural heritage and a family-oriented lifestyle. Records of Renftl living in other countries are few and far between and it is likely that they emigrated from Bavaria.
Currently, the last name Renftl may be found in the United States, Canada, and other countries where German emigrants have settled. It is also found today in Italy, with records suggesting the surname is a variant of the Renfro name. It is likely that the Renftl surname has evolved into other forms over the years.
In conclusion, the surname Renftl is an uncommon name today. It is primarily found in German-speaking countries such as Germany and Austria, although there are isolated records of Renftls elsewhere in the world. The name likely evolved from its Middle High German roots when people emigrated from Bavaria.
Variations of the surname Renftl
The variants, spellings and surnames of Renftl mostly originate from Germany. Historically, during the Middle Ages, naming conventions for individuals were not as standardized as they are now, making the spelling of surnames variable within the same family and distinct between the same surnames. In the case of Renftl, some of the most commonvariants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Reinftel, Rainftl, Renftle, Rainftle, Renftel, Renftell, Rainftel, Rainftell, Ranftl, Ranftle, Ranftel, Ranftell, Reinftl, Reinftle, Reinftel and Reinftell.
The surname Renftl primarily derives from the German term "rennen", meaning "run". This in turn suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely messengers and couriers. As the surname traveled throughout Europe, new spellings were adopted and new sub-branches of the Renftl surname began to develop. Because of this, it is difficult to trace the routes of the original Renftl family and any modern-day Renftl, Reinftel, Rainftl, Renftle, Rainftle, Renftel, Renftell, Rainftel, Rainftell, Ranftl, Ranftle, Ranftel, Ranftell, Reinftl, Reinftle, Reinftel and Reinftell families living in Europe may very well all share a single common ancestor.
Famous people with the name Renftl
- Robert Renftl (1951: present): an Austrian politician: member of the Austrian People’s Party: currently a member of the Municipal Council of Vienna and vice mayor of the 10th district.
- Klaus Renftl (1953: present): a German visual artist known for his black and white landscape photography as well as other works in the fields of sculpture and installation.
- Alphonse Renftl (1907: 1964) was an Austrian entomologist and professor at the University of Vienna.
- Friedrich Renftl (1808: 1880): a German theologian, philosopher and university professor in Halle, Leipzig and Munich.
- Peter Renftl (1844: 1910): an Austrian naturalist, zoologist and entomologist.
- Jürgen Renftl (born 1985): a German comic artist and children’s book author, known for his work on topics like environmental and animal protection and advocating world peace.
- Bruno Renftl (1911: 1971): an Austrian painter known for his watercolour and oil painting.
- Franz Renftl (1853: 1925): an Austrian sculptor and medallist who had a major influence on the sculptures in many Viennese churches from the late 19th century to the early 20th.
- Bernhard Renftl (1924: 2006): an Austrian artist and cartoonist who worked for the Wiener Zeitung for more than 50 years.
- Ernst Renftl (1842: 1922): a German musician, writer and music teacher from Württemberg.