Surname Reinges - Meaning and Origin
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Reinges: What does the surname Reinges mean?
The last name Reinges is a German surname that traces its origins to the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. The name likely originated as a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from a place name. It is believed that there was a place in the Rhineland-Palatinate region named Reinges, and those who lived there took the name Reinges as their surname. It is not known what the exact meaning of the place name Reinges is, though it is likely related to a field or meadow, as the German word rein means “smooth, clear, pure” and the suffix –ges means “meadow” or “field.” Thus, Reinges could potentially mean something along the lines of “smooth meadows” or “clear fields.”
The name Reinges can be found in records dating as far back as the 1400s, when Hans Reinges’ occupation was listed as “landshöffman” in 1470 - translating to “rural administrator.” It is believed that the first bearers of the Reinges name likely aided in the development of the Rhineland-Palatinate region, and the name has been used for generations since then. Most people with the last name Reinges can still be found in Germany today, with some people of German descent living in other parts of the world bearing the name as well.
Order DNA origin analysisReinges: Where does the name Reinges come from?
The last name Reinges is mainly found in Germany today. It is a German surname derived from the given name Regin. In Germanic mythology, Regin was a dwarf who according to legend forged powerful weapons for Sigurd the Dragon Slayer. As early as the 13th century, this surname was found in the region of Brandenburg, the largest state of Germany.
In more modern times, the last name Reinges has spread to other parts of the country. There is a concentration in the northwest around the city of Straubing where many people with this surname still reside. Additionally, there are several families living in the south of the country, centered around the state of Bavaria.
Outside of Germany, this surname is found primarily in countries with a large German diaspora such as the United States and Argentina. The US has the highest number of families living abroad, with many people having settled mainly in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
It is important to note that while Reinges is a German surname, its various spellings (Rauner, Ronees, Raynges, Reinees, etc.) can be found in other parts of the world as well, including the United Kingdom, France, and Austria. As a result, it is likely that the number of people with the surname Reinges is, at least in part, much larger than the current estimated figures.
Variations of the surname Reinges
The surname Reinges is a Germanic name, with origins in the worlds of industrialising farming and tenant farming, which is how it is primarily used today. It is also spelled as Rheinges, Rhöinges, Reingies, Rhöing, Reiniges, Reighnes, Reingues and Rhöiges. These variants typically reflect the process of local dialect pronunciation or more visible spellings that have become standardised over centuries.
The surname is mostly found in Northwest Germany, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also occasionally encountered in other regions such as Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark. In some cases, the name has been anglicised as Reinig or Reignig.
This surname is not directly related to other Germanic surnames such as Reng, Reing, Reiner, Reingold, Reining, and Reinig. However, all of these names appear to have derived from the Germanic name Rein or Regin, meaning 'cleansing'. This in turn has roots in the Germanic word hrein, which means 'pure'.
Despite the multiple variants, Reinges is a single surname, and there is no evidence of any family branches or distinct unrelated origins for different spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Reinges
- Julia Reinges: American actress best known for her roles on television shows such as Six Feet Under and Strong Medicine.
- Dirk Reinges: German professional footballer who currently plays for Borussia Dortmund II.
- Carl Reinges: German actor and voice artist.
- Henrik Reinges: Norwegian professional musician, composer, and singer.
- Maryanne Reinges: British costume designer, best known for her work on films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Alice in Wonderland.
- Barry Reinges: American cartoonist and illustrator who contributed to such comic strips as Zits, Rudy Park, and Peanuts.
- George Reinges: Dutch actor and comedian best known for his leading role in the Dutch television comedy series 'GTST'.
- Ellen Reinges: German stage actress and shot-putter.
- Jean-Paul Reinges: French professional basketball player who currently plays for Limoges CSP.
- Thomas Reinges: German sculptor and installation artist.