Surname Rehfueß - Meaning and Origin
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Rehfueß: What does the surname Rehfueß mean?
The last name Rehfueß is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Reh”, meaning deer, and “fuß”, meaning foot. In the 15th century, it was common practice in southern Germany and Austria to take a person’s name from the animal whose tracks they had last seen. Thus, the surname Rehfueß literally translates to “deer’s foot.”
In the centuries that followed, other variations of the surname developed, including Rehfelder, Rehfelderhof, Rehfelderhaus, Rehfelderhofle, and Rehfuhs. Together, all of these surnames are believed to stem from the same source.
The last name Rehfueß was most commonly found in Bavaria and other parts of southern Germany and Austria during the medieval and early modern periods, but today it is generally associated with people who originally come from the German-speaking regions. It is also common, however, to find members of the extended Rehfueß family living throughout the world, as more and more people in modern times have migrated to other countries in search of new opportunities.
The last name Rehfueß is still in use today, and is associated with people who trace their heritage back to the original heritage of southern Germany and Austria. People bearing this name can be found all over the world, and can take pride in their familial ties to a time-honored past.
Order DNA origin analysisRehfueß: Where does the name Rehfueß come from?
The last name Rehfueß is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German originated name, with ‘Reh’ meaning ‘roe’ or ‘deer’ and ‘fuss’ meaning ‘foot’. It is derived from an earliest reference to a family in the city of Cologne in the thirteenth century.
Since then, the Rehfueß family name has been carried down through many generations, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious last names in German history. It has also been noted that over the years, the spelling and pronunciation of the name has somewhat changed.
Today, the Rehfueß name is widespread throughout German speaking countries, with small clusters of families living across the country and beyond. It has also spread to places such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
As the name is still more common in Germany, many Rehfueß families still reside in the area of Cologne. This city was the original starting point for the Rehfueß family, and is now a hotspot for Rehfueßes. In Cologne there are many public records which reveal the history of the family and its members.
The Rehfueß family is a prominent name in German culture and is often celebrated in the region. It is also an important part of German heritage and a source of pride for many of its citizens.
Variations of the surname Rehfueß
The surname Rehfueß has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, such as Rehfeß, Rehfuß, Rehfuss, Reiffuss, Reiffuß, Reifftuss, Reifftuß, Reiffueß, Reifues, Reiffes, Reifes, Reiffes, Rehfes, Rehffeß, Rehffuß, Rehfuss, Refuss, Refuß, Reufuss, Reufuß, Reufes, Ruefuss, Ruefuß, Ruefes, Reuffes, Reufes, Reuffß, Reiffß, Refß, Reuhfes, Reuhfess, Rehffes, Rehffess and Reuffes.
The surname Rehfueß is derived from the Middle High German word 'ruove', which means 'clearing in the forest'. It is likely that this name was given to a person who either made their home in a clearing, or owned land that had been cleared in the forest.
The surname Rehfueß is common throughout Germany, although there are also variations that are common in Austria. For instance, the spelling of Rehfuss is common in Austria and the Austrian countryside.
Today, the surname Rehfueß is mostly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. In the United States, the spelling is often Americanized and adopted as Rehfus, Reiffus, Riffus, or Refus.
Though there are many different variants, the name Rehfueß has a common origin and is a testament to its medieval roots.
Famous people with the name Rehfueß
- Hermann Rehfueß: German sailor who represented West Germany at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
- Lothar Rehfueß: German politician, state minister of the Baden-Württemberg regional government.
- Jonathan Rehfueß: German professional footballer who plays as a defender for Borussia Dortmund II.
- Johannes Rehfueß: award-winning American-born German composer and conductor.
- Friedrich Rehfueß: former Mayor of Karlsruhe, Germany.
- Wilhelm Rehfueß: German mission director in southwest Africa, noted for his work among the Herero.
- Erhard Rehfueß: German chemist and botanist, known for his pioneering work in plant chemistry.
- Bruno Rehfueß: German photographer and film columnist for the magazine "Der Spiegel".
- Verena Rehfueß: award-winning German director and actress.
- Paulina Rehfueß: German author and feminist, well known for her novel "The Legacy of Ignorance".