Surname Reitenspiess - Meaning and Origin

Reitenspiess: What does the surname Reitenspiess mean?

The last name Reitenspiess is an ancient Germanic name. It is a combination of the German words "Reite" meaning "ride" and "Spiess" meaning "spear". This may imply the bearer of this name is a skilled rider and skilled in the use of the spear.

Historians believe this surname originated in the Rhineland of Germany, particularly around the regions of Darmstadt, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg. The name is common in other Central Germanic regions such as Austria and Switzerland.

The Reitenspiess surname is one of the oldest and most respected of Germanic surnames. Its proud bearer is seen as a brave, adventurous and skillful person capable of handling dangerous situations. These qualities may be seen in a variety of sectors such as hunting, warfare and social status. The Reitenspiess family is also seen as a symbol of strength, courage and honour by Germanic communities around the world.

The name Reitenspiess is a proud reminder of the Germanic people and their history. It may also serve as a source of inspiration for those who want to better themselves and strive for excellence.

Reitenspiess: Where does the name Reitenspiess come from?

The last name Reitenspiess is largely concentrated in Germany and Austria today. As of 2018, the Reitenspiess last name was most common in Germany, with over 1,000 people bearing the name spread throughout the country. The name is particularly common in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, where it ranked as the 1,622nd most common surname.

Austria is also home to a population of Reitenspiess people, boasting about 400 citizens with the name spread throughout the country. The name is particularly common in Upper Austria, which has the highest concentration of Reitenspiess residents.

Outside of Germany and Austria, the name Reitenspiess can be found in several other countries in Europe, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, and France. The name is also notable in the United States, although it is much less common there. According to surname records, the last name is most common in the state of Illinois, where it claims the 10,705th rank for most common name.

Across every region, the name is often shortened to simply Reiten or Reitens. Other variations of the name can include Reitenberger, Reitenspiesse, and Reitenspicker, depending on the region.

The last name itself is derived from a specific region in Germany. In the Middle German language, “reiten” means “to ride,” and “spiess” denotes “spear” or “lance,” likely in reference to a knight. It’s plausible that the name was initially ascribed to a family of knights, or even a lancemaker.

Variations of the surname Reitenspiess

Reitenspiess is a German surname related to cavalry or the horse-riding army. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this name include Reitenbader, Reitensperger, Reiterbader, Reiterberger, Reiterbüchler, Reiterdörfer, Reiterhoffer, Reitermeier, Reitermüller, Reitgemeis and Reitgenstein.

The earliest origin of the surname is in the Prussian-German region, where it was first found in the 1700s. Records of the surname can also be found in Switzerland, later spreading to the United States.

The Reitenbader variant is derived from the old German 'rîtanbatâri', meaning 'horse slaughterer' or 'horse cutter'. The Reitensperger variant is derived from the word 'rîtenperh' meaning 'maker of horse riders'. The Reiterbader variant is also derived from the word 'ritanbatâri', meaning 'rider of the battle horse'. The Reiterberger variant is derived from 'rîtenberere', meaning 'horse breeder'. The Reiterbüchler variant is derived from the word 'Reiterböchel', meaning 'rider of the club or staff'.

The Reiterdörfer variant is derived from the words 'rîtendole' and 'rîtendon' meaning 'horse village'. The Reiterhoffer variant is derived from 'rïtenhofer', meaning 'horse holder' or 'stable boy'. The Reitermeier variant is derived from 'rïtenmeier' meaning 'horse farmer' or 'horse owner'. The Reitermüller variant is derived from the German word 'rïtenmülere', meaning 'horse miller'.

The Reitgemeis variant is derived from 'rîtenton', meaning 'horse house', while the Reitgenstein variant is derived from 'rîtendsein', meaning 'stone in the horse's way'.

Famous people with the name Reitenspiess

• Jan Reitenspiess: German Paralympic athlete and media personality.
• Klaus Reitenspiess: German alpine skier and World Cup champion.
• Matthias Reitenspiess: German biathlete and Paralympic gold medalist.
• Thomas Reitenspiess: German Paralympic athlete and world champion.
• Werner Reitenspiess: Swiss alpine skier and Olympic silver medalist.
• Alfred Reitenspiess: Swiss photographer and artist.
• Stephan Reitenspiess: German footballer and manager.
• Karl Otto Reitenspiess: German philosopher and author.
• Jörg Reitenspiess: Austrian big-wave surfer and adventurer.
• Lisa Reitenspiess: German modernist painter and sculptor.

Other surnames

Reitenspies