Surname Reiners - Meaning and Origin
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A DNA Journey: Unraveling the Warrior Lineage and Historical Migration of the Reiners Surname
Through my iGENEA DNA test, I've discovered a deep dive into my ancestry associated with the surname Reiners, showcasing a history rich with warrior lineage and significant migration. Its roots draw up images of armies from the Middle High German times, and its variations around the globe indicate some intriguing cross-cultural influences.
F. Reiners
read moreReiners: What does the surname Reiners mean?
The last name Reiners is of German origin, stemming from the Middle High German word "rein," which means either clean or pure. It was a name likely given to someone who was a very clean or tidy person, or someone who had a very good reputation or a high status.
The surname Reiners first appeared in the early Middle Ages in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Its popularity grew across northern and central Europe throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, and eventually spread to the United States via German and Dutch immigration in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, the surname is common throughout the United States and around the world. Although it is most prevalent in the United States, it also has been found in England, Canada, France, and Australia.
The meaning of the surname Reiners is often interpreted in a religious or spiritual sense, as it is a name derived from a word that means purity. It suggests the notion that those who bear the name might have a higher moral or ethical code than others. It also signifies a person who is devoted to the pursuit of excellence and an uncompromising vision of truth.
Order DNA origin analysisReiners: Where does the name Reiners come from?
The last name Reiners is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the Wiesbaden area. According to the 1990 United States Census, it is the 1375th most common last name in the United States. This is likely due to the large influx of German immigrants in the 19th century. Records of the Reiners family appear in various parts of Germany beginning in the 1400s. Over the years, the Reiners family has spread further across the country, but remains particularly concentrated in the Wiesbaden area.
Additionally, the Reiners last name can be found in many other countries. For example, it is particularly prominent in the Netherlands and France. Reiners is also quite common in some former Germanic colonies such as Chile and South Africa.
In the United States, the Reiners surname can be found in all states, though it is more prominent in some than in others. There is a particularly high concentration of Reiners families in Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
Overall, the Reiners last name is quite widespread, with a strong presence in Germany and many other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Reiners
Reiners is a German surname, and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, include: Reiners, Reinert, Reinerz, Reinerth, Reinhardt, Reinhard, Reinhartz, Reiher, Ryner, Reiniger, Rainer, Rayner, Renfert, Rheiner, Rheinhardt, Rheinert, Reingard, Reinhardus, Rainers, Rainerus, Reynard and Reyners.
Reiners is one of the many surnames with Germanic origins. It is derived from the Old German personal name Reinhard, which is composed of the two elements ragin, meaning “advice” and hart, meaning “hardy” or “strong.” Therefore, the literal meaning of the surname Reiners is “hardy or strong advice.”
Reiners is a fairly common German surname, with the peak of its popularity taking place in the early 15th century. During that time, it was likely concentrated in the Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia regions of Germany as well as in parts of the Bavarian Forest. Today, it is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and other German-speaking countries, although there are also Reiners families in other European countries, Australia, New Zealand and parts of the United States.
Reinhard, Reinert, Reinerz and Reinerth are some of the more common spelling variations of the surname Reiners, although there are close to a dozen other spellings that have been noted in various documents. Some of these spelling variations, such as Rayner, Rainer and Reyners, have developed into separate surnames in their own right. Others have been assimilated into other established surnames, such as Rainers, Reingard and Reinhardus.
Famous people with the name Reiners
- Andre Reiners: Actor and producer, best known for his roles in ‘School of Rock’, ‘Glee’, and ‘Vanished’.
- Eric Reiners: Former professional soccer player who played for the Chicago Fire and the Kansas City Wizards.
- Frank Reiners: Former professional basketball player who played for the Seattle Supersonics and the Milwaukee Bucks. 4.John Reiners: Emmy award-winning television writer and director who has worked on shows such as ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Ugly Betty’.
- Leon Reiners: Academy Award-winning film producer who produced ‘The Killing Fields’ and ‘Grand Hotel’.
- Martin Reiners: Actor and producer known for his roles in the television shows ‘ER’ and ‘CSI: Miami’.
- Mike Reiners: Former professional American football player who played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Nicola Reiners: Professional tennis player who has represented Germany in the Fed Cup.
- Reinhold Reiners: Former professional American football player who played for the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Sabine Reiners: Professional shooter who specializes in pistol shooting and has represented Germany in the ISSF World Cup and Olympic Games.