Surname Riehme - Meaning and Origin
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Riehme: What does the surname Riehme mean?
The surname Riehme is of German origin, and is likely derived from an old German word meaning “honorable.” Historically, it was used to denote someone who was held in high regard by their community, and as such the name has come to represent qualities of respect and honor over the centuries.
In Medieval Germany, the Riehme family was one of the oldest and most respected of the noble families. During this time, the family had many members who served as court officials and held important positions in the court of the Holy Roman Emperor. They were involved in numerous administrative tasks, and this helped to solidify their position as a prominent family within the ruling class.
Today, there are still many people with the last name Riehme living in Germany, and the name is still associated with qualities of honor, respect, and noblesse. Those with this surname are often seen as being honest, reliable, and dutiful, and it is not uncommon to see them in positions of authority both at home and in the workplace. As such, the long-standing legacy of the surname Riehme remains intact even in modern times, and it is highly unlikely to change anytime soon.
Order DNA origin analysisRiehme: Where does the name Riehme come from?
The surname Riehme is most common today in North Germany. The main locations are in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is found throughout Germany, but is especially prominent in the North. In the United States, the Riehme name is found mainly in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
In Germany, the Riehme family is believed to have originated in Mecklenburg and Holstein, but there are also records of the family living in Northern Germany. The earliest known recorded mention of the family is a Friedrich Riehme who settled in the city of Cölbe, Germany in 1723.
In North American history, the first known immigrant to the United States was Johann Friedrich Riehme who arrived in Rochester, New York in 1848. He eventually moved on to Wisconsin, where the Riehme family still lives today. There are also many Riehmes living in Ohio and Illinois, as these states were havens for German immigrants after the mid-19th century.
Given the Riehme family's 500 year history in Germany, and its more recent globalization, the Riehme surname can now be found throughout Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Riehme
The surname Riehme is a variant of the Germanic name Reichmann or Reichemann that has been used in various parts of Europe since the Middle Ages. The spelling Riehme is most common in Germany, where it is pronounced REE-mah.
Variants of Riehme can also be seen in English-speaking countries as well, including the spelling Reem as well as Reehm, Rehm, and Rayhm. The surnames Reemann, Rehman, Riehm, Rahm, Raymond, Raymun, and Reichmann are all variants with the same origin.
The Dutch spelling is Riejme or Riejema, while in Norway and Sweden it is known as Rieheim or Riehjem. The French spelling is Riem, and the Spanish version is Riehn.
Most variants of Riehme have been used in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, France, and Spain since the Middle Ages. Although it is not commonly found in other countries, recently some examples of the surname can be seen in the United States, due in part to German immigrants who settled in the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In all, there are over 60 known variants of the surname Riehme, which shows its lasting influence and popularity well into the modern day.
Famous people with the name Riehme
- Adalbert Riehme: German painter and draftsman.
- Carsten Riehme: a German filmmaker and director.
- Christine Riehme-Jetter: American academic, researcher, author, filmmaker, and dean.
- Christian Riehme: German actor.
- Claudia Riehme: German professional volleyball player.
- Frank J. Riehme: American politician, former member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Jörg Riehme: German actor and musician.
- Karina Riehme: German long-distance runner.
- Maren Riehme: German professional badminton player.
- Miriam Riehme: German former horse rider.
- Sarina Riehme: German volleyball player.
- Wilhelm Riehme: German jurist, mayor, and historian.