Surname Rems - Meaning and Origin
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Rems: What does the surname Rems mean?
The last name Rems is most likely of German origin, derived from a given name related to “once”, “rescue”, or “blessed”. It may have also been derived from the German term “remisen”, which means “to remain” or “to be preserved”.
Historically, the name could have referred to a new settlement in an area surrounded by forests, with some looking to clear the land to create a homestead while others remained, choosing to remain among the trees. The “Rem” part of the name could reflect this joining of two lifestyles, with those choosing to remain living alongside those who are seeking to “rescue” new land for themselves.
The origins of the name could also be related to religion, with the “blessed” quality of the Rems indicating those who chose to remain in their faith, even amid hardship or persecution.
Overall, the name Rems likely has a varied and complex history that is intertwined with both the physical environment and the spiritual beliefs of its original bearer. The name likely derives from an ancient source, with various influences and interpretations giving rise to its current form.
Order DNA origin analysisRems: Where does the name Rems come from?
The surname Rems is mainly found in Germany, although there are also some instances of the name elsewhere in Europe. It is believed to be an older surname that has its roots in Middle High German, where it was a title associated with church and/or state officials.
The most common place with high numbers of people bearing the Rems surname is North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Other German states where Rems is present include Saxony, Hesse, Bavaria, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Other countries where Rems is found are Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium. It is also observed in small numbers in the United States, mainly throughout the Midwest, in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.
In terms of historical references, the Rems family name was even mentioned in the famous Nibelungenlied, the 13th century epic poem of Germany. Today, the name is not particularly common outside of Germany, although the surname is found in various German language documents.
Variations of the surname Rems
The surname Rems is a German and Jewish surname originating from the German word “Rhems”, which means “edge” or “refinement”. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are Remz, Réms, Rayms, Rheims, and Rémez.
Rems is thought to be a locational surname derived from the name of a locality, with variations likely arising from local dialects and variations in the spelling of the name. Early records of the name date back to the 13th century, when a reference to a Johannes Recvmesi was made in the town of Weimar, Germany.
Variant spellings of the Rems name include Rayms, Rheims, Rémez and Réms. These spellings are all phonetic variations of the original name, with Reims being the most popular spelling of the name.
Rems is also a Jewish surname, which is thought to have been adopted by Jews to set them apart from their non-Jewish neighbors. It is thought that the Rems family may have lived in a shtetl close to a Rhems.
Variants of the Rems name are common within the Ashkenazi Jewish community, with the surnames Remz, Rémez, and Réms being the most common in the modern day.
Due to the avant-garde spelling of the original name, Rems is a relatively uncommon surname, with a much larger number of spellings found amongst German- and Yiddish- speaking Jews.
Famous people with the name Rems
- Daiki Rems: Japanese Idols from the group Kamiyado
- Gladys Rems: an American actor and voice actor known for voicing characters such as Hittokiri in Azur Lane: Crosswave
- Sylvia Rems: Sue in the Netflix original movie Band-Aids
- Scott Rems: an American film and television actor best known for roles in films such as Chasing Amy, Disney's Aladdin on Ice, and A Beautiful Mind
- Nikolay Rems: Russian actor best known for movie of "Kak ya provel etim letom"
- Andrey Rems: Ukrainian actor and film director
- Saurabh Rems: hockey player from India
- Víctor Salvador Rems: Spanish theatre director
- Claudio Rems: Argentinian television actor
- Toni Rems: German Shadowcaster
- Alicia Rems: singer and songwriter from Australia
- Clemens Rems: Swiss shot putter
- Jacek Rems: Polish poet and essayist
- Ramón Rems: Spanish businessman and politician
- Grandmaster Rems: Vietnamese martial artist specializing in Taekwondo
- Ralf Rems: German musician and composer