Surname Reinherz - Meaning and Origin
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Reinherz: What does the surname Reinherz mean?
Reinherz is a German and Ashkenazi Jewish surname. It is derived from the German word “Reinherz”, which means, literally, “pure heart”. As such, this family name is believed to have originally belonged to a person who was said to have a pure and kind heart.
Today, the Reinherz surname is still found predominantly among those of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Some people with this surname may also have some German heritage, as the name likely originated in Central Europe centuries ago.
Reinherz may have once been a nickname given to someone centuries ago who was known for their caring, genuine, and heartfelt nature. Alternatively, it could have been a family name indicating that the family originated from a line of people with such qualities.
As is typical of Jewish family names, Reinherz is patronymic. It is derived from the name “Reinherz”, which in turn can be further traced back to the German word “Reinherz”. As such, the Reinherz family name can be used to trace one’s ancestors back to Central Europe hundreds of years ago.
While today, the Reinherz family name is generally used to refer to a person of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, centuries ago it was likely used as a nickname to describe someone of great kindness and caring. In this way, the name Reinherz has the potential to represent much more than an ethnic or regional background, instead capturing and highlighting a unique personal characteristic.
Order DNA origin analysisReinherz: Where does the name Reinherz come from?
The last name Reinherz is most commonly found in Central, Eastern, and some parts of Western Europe today. It originated in Germany and is still seen in greater percentages in countries like Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands. The name is a derivative of the German word ‘Reinhardt’, meaning strong in reins, and is commonly associated with a large, slightly boorish sense of strength.
In the United States, Reinherz is almost nonexistent. Records show that the first arrival of Reinherz to the US was sometime around the 1880s, when numbers were low and scattered. As of recently, there are roughly 800 public records found, mainly in larger cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
There has been a bit of a scattered distribution back towards Europe, with record of Reinherz families in Morocco, Italy, and even some parts of Russia. According to records, Reinherz is still a fairly small name in comparison to the other common last names in the areas.
In the end, the Reinherz name is most common in Central and Eastern Europe, although numbers have been slowly and steadily increasing in larger cities in the U.S. The Reinherz family is one with a proud and strong heritage, and the name continues to carry its meaning into the future.
Variations of the surname Reinherz
The Reinherz surname originates from the Germanic surname Rainhart, meaning ‘bold and brave heart’. Variations and spellings of this surname can be found throughout the world. Below is a list of some common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Reinherz:
Rainhard/Rainhart/ Rainhartt – The most common Germanic variant of Reinherz, in various spellings. This is the original spelling of this surname.
Reinhard – A common variation, this spelling is used in various parts of Europe and the United States. It is also the more commonly seen spelling of Reinhard in Germany.
Reinhardt – Mainly used in parts of Europe, this variation is also commonly seen in the United States.
Reinhart – A variant of Reinhardt, also seen commonly in parts of Europe and the United States.
Reinhertz – A variation mainly seen in parts of the United States, this spelling can also be found in some parts of Europe.
Renhard – Another variant, this spelling is mainly seen in parts of Australia.
Rheinhart – A variant seen mainly in parts of the United States.
Rhinehart – A variant seen mainly in parts of the United States.
Rienehart – Mainly seen in parts of the United States.
Reinher – A variant seen mainly in parts of the United States.
Rinhart – Mainly seen in parts of the United States.
Reinhardsen – A Norwegian surname that is a variant of Reinherz.
Reinholds/Reinholtz – A Swedish surname, derived from the German Reinherz.
Many of these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found across the world today, especially in various parts of Europe and the United States. They all stemmed from the original Rainhart, and their various spellings and variants clearly show the long and complex history of this unique surname.
Famous people with the name Reinherz
- Adam Reinherz: American psychologist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Psychiatry and psychology research director at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
- Eli Reinherz: American theatrical producer and investment banker.
- Guy Reinherz: Israeli soccer player and coach.
- Hans Reinherz: Austrian mathematician who specialized in projective geometry and general topology.
- Jonathan Reinherz: American law professor and constitutional law expert.
- Relief Reinherz: Austrian painter.
- Sylvia Reinherz: American pediatric hematologist/oncologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Tova Reinherz: Israeli neurologist and professor of neurology at Haifa University.
- Ofer Reinherz: Israeli computer scientist and the founder of Applied Complexity Group.
- Yair Reinherz: Israeli professor of archaeology at Ben-Gurion University.