Surname Rieder - Meaning and Origin
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W. Rieder
read moreRieder: What does the surname Rieder mean?
The last name Rieder is of German origin and dates back to the Middle Ages, when it initially indicated that a person came from the location “Ried” in Germany. This location was found near the German-Austrian border and named for its marshy terrain. Over time, the spelling of this last name has changed to include vis-à-vis versions such as Reede, Reidel, and Reidyr, as well as more modernly Rieder.
The word "Ried" itself is derived from the old German term "Riedboden," which was used to refer to land for livestock grazing. This indicates that in earlier times, the Rieder family may have been involved in animal husbandry, and it is possible that the wealthy landowners of the area adopted this surname. Another possible origin for the surname is the Middle High German word "reider," which translates to "rider." This could mean that the original meaning of the name was denoting someone who was a mounted warrior.
Today, the last name Rieder is most commonly found in Austria and Germany, as well as in other German-speaking countries. This name is considered to be of German nobility, and it is typically associated with many professions such as farming, trade, and law. Historically, Rieder families were known to be quite educated and involved in the affairs of their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisRieder: Where does the name Rieder come from?
The last name Rieder is primarily concentrated in Germany today, and is found in various other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. It is also dispersed in small numbers in the United States and other countries around the world.
In Germany, the Rieder name is most common in the Bavarian region of southern Germany, though it can also be found in some parts of the north and west. In Austria, Rieder is somewhat more widespread, appearing in various provinces. It is also present in smaller numbers in other German-speaking countries, especially Switzerland.
In the United States, Rieder is rarer but is still present, mostly concentrated in the Midwestern states that form part of the historic German immigrant corridor. This region includes states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
The Rieder name is believed to have originally been derived from the term 'rider', referring to someone who rode horses for a living, such as a messenger, courier or military scout. It is derived from the Germanic 'rith', meaning 'ride'. It may also have originally been a toponymic name, referring to a person who lived in an area called 'Rieder', which is derived from 'ried', an old Germanic term for an open, cleared and often damp meadow.
Variations of the surname Rieder
The surname Rieder has a variety of regionalized spelling variations and surnames of the same origin. Those include Reider, Reiter, Ryder, Rider, Reder, Reedar, Reeder, Rieder, Reider, Reider, Reiderer, Ryder, Rederer, Redaar and Riedar.
Most likely, all of these surnames evolved from an ancestor who was a citizen of Germany, Czech Republic or Switzerland, as this surname is common in these countries.
The variant spelling Reder, also spelled Rederer, Redaar or Riedar, may have derived from either of the Germanic surname Preusser, meaning “resident of Prussia”, or Raders, meaning “Rider”, referring to a person who worked with horses and related equestrian activities.
The variant spelling Reider, also spelled Reiter, Ryder or Rider, is likely derived from the Germanic surname Rider, meaning “Rider” or “Horseman”. It could also be related to the Old English personal name Riderd, meaning “power in battle”.
The spelling Reedar, also spelled Reeder, may be derived from the Germanic surname Rieder, meaning “spearman” or “weapon master”. The Old English personal name Reoude is also related to Reedar.
In summary, the surname Rieder has a variety of variants, spellings, and regional surnames. The spelling variations are likely derived from notable Germanic personal names or related occupations.
Famous people with the name Rieder
- Thomas Rieder: German ice hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes and Team Germany
- Yvonne Rieder: German figure skater, former World and European medalist
- John A. Rieder: an American Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Hawaii
- Stefan Rieder: French figure skater who competed in pairs with Laurence Fraisse
- Lukas Rieder: German filmmaker and creative director
- Lyndon Rieder: American entrepreneur and founder of the Rieder Group 7.(Karl) Josef Rieder: Austrian composer and pianist 8.Emma Rieder: Canadian Olympic swimmer
- Joseph Rieder: German author and playwright
- Gordon E. Rieder: American wildlife biologist