Surname Rotensteiner - Meaning and Origin
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Rotensteiner: What does the surname Rotensteiner mean?
The last name Rotensteiner is a German name originally derived from the Austrian Gulf of the same name, the Rotensteinersee (or Rothenstein Lake). The name Rotensteiner is an occupational name that would have been used by local fishmongers or fishermen. The -er ending typically indicates an association with an occupation, in this case professional fishing.
The meaning of the name Rotensteiner is thought to be rooted in the words rot (meaning "red") and Stein (meaning "stone"), resulting in Rotensteiner meaning "red stone". This suggests that the lake the name derives from may have had red-colored stones at its bottom, possibly due to the presence of iron oxides. Additionally, the word steiner is also believed to originate from a Middle High German word meaning "stone wall." Therefore the full literal translation of the name is “red stones of a stone wall”, referring to the lake having a bottom of red-colored stones, enclosed by a wall of stones surrounding it.
The surname Rotensteiner can be traced back to at least the 18th century, an indication of the long-standing presence of the lake in the area, and of the fishmongers or fishermen who used it to their advantage. To this day, the population of Rotensteiner remains small but lively.
Order DNA origin analysisRotensteiner: Where does the name Rotensteiner come from?
The last name Rotensteiner is most commonly found in Austria today. In 1880, it was the 473rd most common last name in Austria. It is also found in Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The name may also be found in other locations around the world, but would likely be much less common.
In Austria, the name is most commonly found in the states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, and Salzburg. However, the region in which it is most prevalent is the Upper Austrian town of Freistadt, where 35 different Rotensteiner families resided in 1980.
The name Rotensteiner is thought to originate from the Middle High German words "rote" and "steiner," which translate to "red one" or "red-haired one." This could refer to someone with reddish-blond hair, which was once a rather common physical trait among Austrians. It could also be indicative of a profession in stonemasonry, as the name literally translates to "stone-worker."
Whether or not the name is derived from a person's physical appearance or occupation, it is clear that the last name Rotensteiner is still very common in Austria today.
Variations of the surname Rotensteiner
The surname Rotensteiner is a German name that is generally spelled the same in English as it is in its native language. However, there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Rotensteiner that may be seen in different countries.
The most frequent variant of the name Rotensteiner is Rothensteiner, though this can also be seen in forms such as Rothsteiner or Rothenstainer. Other variants that may be encountered include Rotstainer or Rotstäiner.
Additional common surnames of the same origin as Rotensteiner include Rothenbach, Rothenbacher, and Roggensteiner. For those of Jewish descent, many in this lineage use the surname Rottenstein.
Alternative spelling versions of Rotensteiner can also be found in documents and records from different countries. These include the Dutch versions Rotsteeenher and Rathsteenher, as well as the Swedish forms of Rothstein and Rostenstjerna.
Regardless of the spelling, each of these alternative surnames and spellings can all be traced back to the same German origin as Rotensteiner.
Famous people with the name Rotensteiner
- Albert Rotensteiner: 20th century Austrian sculptor best known for his work in Vienna, Austria.
- Markus Rotensteiner: a German artist known for his Expressionistic, often dark works.
- Tony Rotensteiner: a Swedish film director, producer and screenwriter.
- Hans Rotensteiner: a modern Austrian architect and landscape architect active in Vienna.
- Mike Rotensteiner: an American Football player who played for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos during his career.
- Annemarie Rotensteiner: a painter based in Dresden, Germany.
- Birgit Rotensteiner: an Austrian book illustrator and author.
- Paul Rotensteiner: a Swiss geologist, botanist, and conservationist.
- Leslie Rotensteiner: an American writer and critic.
- Isabella Rotensteiner: an Austrian actress famous for her roles in German films and television from the 1950s to the 1970s.