Surname Reutzel - Meaning and Origin
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Reutzel: What does the surname Reutzel mean?
The last name Reutzel comes from Germanic origins and is believed to be derived from the elements rod (meaning 'counselor') and telo (meaning 'plentiful'). It is likely that the name was used as a hereditary surname for people who were advisors or important members of their community.
In Germany during the Middle Ages, anyone with the last name Reutzel would have been held in high regard due to their wise advice and counsel. They would have often served as councillors, and their families would have enjoyed a certain degree of wealth and influence.
The Reutzel family spread to other parts of Europe after the 14th century. The name is now fairly common in parts of Austria, as well as England, the United States, and Canada. It may also be found in some countries of Latin America and Australia.
The last name Reutzel is associated with great wisdom and many families still take great pride in their affiliations to it. The name also symbolizes the importance of having a good counsel and confidante; something that is still held in high regard in many cultures, even today.
Order DNA origin analysisReutzel: Where does the name Reutzel come from?
The surname Reutzel is most commonly found in the United States today. This German surname is believed to have originated from a place where a family lived long ago, taking on the name of the area. The USA has the largest number of individuals bearing the name, although it is also found in countries in Europe, especially Germany, France, and Austria.
In the United States the Reutzel surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, although it does appear in other states as well. In the 1880s, many of the first Reutzels to move to America settled in Pennsylvania, and the majority of the name holders still live there. In addition to Pennsylvania, one may also find the surname Reutzel in states such as Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
Today, the majority of Reutzels in the USA are of German ancestry, although some families bear German spelling variations or are descended from other European countries. In addition to English-speaking countries in Europe, the Reutzel name is found in Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname Reutzel
The surname Reutzel can be spelled many different ways, including Rutzel, Rutzyl, Rutzall, and Ruttzel. Each of these spellings have their own variants and alternate spellings as well.
Variants of Reutzel include Ruezel, Reucel, Ruettel, Ratzell, Rhedel, Reudel, Rettel, Reitzle, Reitsel, and Ruetzel. Variant spellings may include Roetzel, Reudle, Ratzle, Ruttele, Roetzle, Roetzele, Rhutzel, Rautzel, and Rutzil.
Common surnames associated with Reutzel include Ruth, Rudolph, Rothen, Rutz, Reuterman, Rutt, Ruttman, Reutlinger, Reedel, Rausch, Ruthe, Ruhl, Reuther, and Ratcliff.
The origin of the surname Reutzel is most likely German in origin, coming from the Middle High German rûz meaning "reed." Much like other surnames that are derived from locations, such as Ó Cuill (from the Irish term for holly) or Lancaster (from the village in England), Reutzel was likely a name given to someone who lived near a large reed field. Other similar surnames include Reeder and Reedy.
Famous people with the name Reutzel
- Aaron Reutzel: Two time All Star wingless sprint car driver and World of Outlaws champion.
- Adam Reutzel: American lawyer and a member of the Reutzel family who immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 18th century.
- Art Reutzel: former NFL player who was drafted in the 1982 NFL Draft.
- Don Reutzel: American politician who served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006.
- Ester Reutzel: principal dancer with the Vienna State Ballet since 1990.
- Gerhard Reutzel: German ice hockey player who represented East Germany at numerous international competitions.
- Helen Reutzel Meseroll: American painter and printmaker who was part of the 1960s art scene in the Baltimore region.
- Jimmie Reutzel: former NBL player and coach who was inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame in 2011.
- John Reutzel: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and historian who served as editor at the Baltimore Sun and the New York Post.
- Joseph Reutzel: electrical engineer and former NASA astronaut who flew on two space shuttle missions.
- Margarete Reutzel-Freyer: German poet and author who was born in the Ruhr area in 1899.
- Mary M. Reutzel: Emmy Award-winning television producer who worked on such shows as Full House and My Two Dads.
- Max Reutzel: painter and author who was active during the Expressionist period in Germany.
- Paul Reutzel: organized crime figure who led a faction of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Robert Reutzel: aviation pioneer who was part of the Wright brothers' pioneering team.
- Stephanie Reutzel: Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter who has released several albums.
- Walter Reutzel: film director and screenwriter from Germany who was active during the Weimar Republic.