Surname Riemers - Meaning and Origin
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Riemers: What does the surname Riemers mean?
The last name Riemers is derived from the Low German word “riemer,” meaning navigator or ferryman. It is likely that the first individuals to take on the Riemers surname were ferrymen who were known for their ability to travel along the rivers and lakes of Northern Europe. This surname is found mainly in The Netherlands, but also has variations in countries such as Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and Canada.
The coat of arms of the Riemers family is displayed in the Dutch national heraldic register. It features a red chevron on a gold background, along with a ram's head and two stars above. This symbolizes strength, power, and loyalty, values that were important to the Riemers family's seafaring heritage.
While many of the Riemers family members no longer live the life of a ferryman or navigator on the waterways, the surname is still seen as a mark of proud seafaring heritage. It is a reminder of a life of resilience and courage in the face of danger. The use of the surname has been passed down through generations, and stands as a testament to those individuals who voyaged by the rivers and lakes of Northern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisRiemers: Where does the name Riemers come from?
The last name Riemers is most common today in the Netherlands. It is a Frisian-origin, patronymic name, which means that people with the surname are likely descended from the male line of a person named Riemers, Riem, or Riems. The name has also spread to other countries through Dutch emigration and can be found in countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.
In the Netherlands, the recorded Riemers population is highest in the provinces of Nort Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, and Gelderland. In 2019, the Dutch Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek recorded 2,110 individuals with the last name. The name is most common among people between the ages of 25-54 and is also the fourth most frequent last name in the northern provinces of Groningen and Friesland.
As Riemers is an old Frisian creation, with influence from Dutch society, the name has been carried by residents of the Netherlands for centuries. This is also especially true of northern provinces, where the name is more frequently encountered. It is believed that the name was first recorded in Friesland in 1450, with influences coming from Old Norse and Dutch, and ultimately derived from the name Riem.
Variations of the surname Riemers
The surname Riemers is a Dutch surname that is found in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and the United States. In the Netherlands, it is spelled as Riemersma, while in Germany and France, it is Riemersmann. There are numerous other variants of the surname found throughout the world.
In the United States, the surname is often spelled Remers, Reimers, or Ryemers. Older spellings of the surname in the U.S. include Rhymers, Rymers, and Ryemers. In other countries, the surname is sometimes spelled Riemersz, Reimers, Rheemers, Rhimers, or Raymar.
In Dutch, the surname sometimes appears as Rijmers or Rijmaers. In German, this surname is sometimes known as Riemersdorf. In French, the surname is sometimes found as Riemerschmidt or Remersdorf. In Scotland, the name is sometimes found as Rimers or Rimrus, and in Sweden, it is sometimes spelled Rijmark.
In addition to the various spellings of the surname, there are also many other related surnames based on the same etymological root. These include Rymer, Rijmer, Ruiemers, and Reijmers. The surname Richmüller is also considered to be related to Riemers, as it is derived from the German form of the name "Riemersmüller."
So, in conclusion, while the surname Riemers is most commonly found with the spelling Riemers, there are a variety of other spellings and related surnames to be aware of. It is important to keep in mind the various spellings and origins when trying to trace one's ancestry.
Famous people with the name Riemers
- Maarten Riemersma: Dutch actor, best known for his role in the television series Van God Los.
- J.R. Riemersma: American artist and author, most notably known for his book Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track.
- Joth Riemersma: Dutch BMX rider, world champion in parcours racing from 2011: 2014.
- Campbell Riemersma: Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
- Meindert Riemersma: Dutch politician, and former Minister of Education.
- Ybe Riemersma: Dutch footballer, currently playing for Jong FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
- Wendell Riemersma: American politician, and member of the Michigan Senate from the 26th district.
- Alicia Riemersma: Canadian sprint kayaker, who placed fourth in the K-4 1000m event at the 2019 Pan American Games.
- Sean Riemersma: Dutch hip hop artist and music producer.
- Tom Riemersma: Dutch theologian, and professor emeritus at the Free University of Amsterdam.