Surname Rieps - Meaning and Origin
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Rieps: What does the surname Rieps mean?
The last name Rieps is derived from the German word, "Reip," which means "runner" or "racer." This was likely the occupational name of a messenger or a courier who delivered important documents or messages. It is believed to have originated in Breisgau region of Germany in the 18th century, which is a region near the border of Switzerland known for its surrounding forests. It may also be related to the Flemish word, "Reep", which means "seaweed".
The surname Rieps signifies a person of agility and strength, as running and racing required a certain level of physicality and endurance. It is thought that those bearing the last name may have been excellent runners or horsemen. Additionally, being a courier was commonly used by soldiers who traveled long distances in order to spread news of important events related to the military. Records show that the surname is most common in the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Regardless of where it originated, the roots of the name Rieps suggest a history of dedication, courage, and speed. The bearers of this name likely had to be quick, determined, and reliable in order to fulfill the responsibilities that came with their profession. Thus, in a sense, the name is a symbol for what it takes to succeed.
Order DNA origin analysisRieps: Where does the name Rieps come from?
The last name Rieps appears to be of German origin, and is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In Germany, it is primarily found in the southwestern region of the country. In Germany, the name Rieps is most prevalent in the state of Bavaria, where it is ranked number 2,238th in terms of frequency. In Austria, the last name Rieps can be found at a much lower frequency, ranking 43,243rd in terms of popularity.
In the United States, the last name Rieps is one of the least common family names in the country, ranking 19,988th in terms of frequency. It is most widely found in the New York City region. However, because of the large German and Austrian populations in this area, it is not surprising that the name Rieps is quite common in the city.
Even though the last name Rieps is quite rare in the rest of the United States, it is likely that many descendants of the Rieps family have since changed their surname in order to better assimilate into American society. It is also possible that the name has been changed to make it easier to spell and pronounce.
Variations of the surname Rieps
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the German surname Rieps include Reeb, Reeps, Reep, Reib, Reibs, and Ribs. The surname is derived from given names that began with the word “reib”, meaning "wild animal" in Middle High German. As given names became surnames, they were then anglicized and began to appear in different forms and spellings.
Reeb and Reeps are likely the original forms of the name, derived from the Middle High German word “reib,” and have continued to exist in Germany up to the present day. Reeb is the most widespread variant of the surname in Germany, with an estimated 6,800 individuals carrying this spelling as of 2019, with another 1,500 bearing the spelling Reeps. In the United States, however, the spelling Reeb is far less common, with only an estimated 40 individuals carrying this surname.
Reep and Ribs are two other variants of the name that also originated in Germany. Unlike Reeb and Reeps, both of these variants may have arisen as a result of dialectal differences and the presence of different dialects of German in different regions. For example, the variant Reep may be derived from the Middle High German word “rip”, and the variant Ribs may be derived from the Middle High German word “ribs”.
The surname Reib is also a variant of the name that is believed to have developed independently in Germany and is associated with the name of a certain farm in the northern part of the country. The surname is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word “reb”, which meant “rigid and strong”. This variant of the name is not as common as others, with an estimated 500 people carrying the surname in Germany as of 2019.
Famous people with the name Rieps
- Erik Rieps: German runner and winner of four Paralympic medals, including two gold medals in 400 meters relay and 1 silver in 200 meters.
- Robert Rieps: German WWII Ace fighter pilot who was awarded the Honor goblet of Baden-Wurttemberg in September 1944.
- Hans Rieps: German speed skater who won Bronze Medal at 1924 Winter Olympics and several times German Champion.
- Karl Riess: German physicist and astrophysicist who was the recipient of the German Research Foundation ERC Grant in 2016.
- Georg Riess: German journalist and writer who worked for media outlets such as Die Welt and Der Tagesspiegel.
- Theo Rieps: Austrian-born, Holocaust survivor and sculptor.
- Willem Rieps: Dutch professional cyclist who won the Dutch National Championships in 1892.
- Petra Rieps: German theater, film, and TV actress best known for her roles in "Hauptstadtrevier" and "Der Landarzt".
- Eric Rieps: Australian rugby and rugby league player, known for his undaunted performances on the field.
- Herman Rieps: German politician and CDU member, known for his work reforming the tax laws of Hamburg in the late 2000s.