Surname Rehkopf - Meaning and Origin

Rehkopf: What does the surname Rehkopf mean?

The surname Rehkopf is a German surname which originates from the Middle High German term 'Rehkopf' meaning 'deer's head'. It is likely that the name originated as a nickname for someone who was seen as being skilled at hunting deer or had a physical characteristic that reminded people of a deer's head.

The name Rehkopf has a long history in Germany, with records of the name being dated back to the 15th century. During the 20th century, many bearers of the surname Rehkopf emigrated from Germany and settled in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.

Today, people with the surname Rehkopf are scattered across the world. In Germany, the surname is still quite common and is found in the majority of states.

In terms of personality traits, people with the surname Rehkopf are often seen as being independent and hard-working. They tend to have a deep respect for tradition and family values and have strong moral values. Those with the name Rehkopf are often seen as being loyal and reliable and have a strong sense of justice. They also enjoy outdoor activities, such as hunting, camping, and hiking, which could be linked back to the origin of the name and its connection to hunting deer.

Rehkopf: Where does the name Rehkopf come from?

The last name Rehkopf is most common today in Germany. It is a German surname originating in the Protestant region of Northwest Germany (Westphalia). It is thought to mean "red head" or "red Kopf" in German, although this is unconfirmed.

The Rehkopfs migrated to many countries and cities throughout the world during the 19th century, including to the United States in the 1880s. They initially settled in Bavaria, where many of them still resid today.

In the United States, many Rehkopfs are found in states such as Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Michigan. There are also some Rehkopfs that have settled in other countries across the world. For example, there are Rehkopfs in Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Interestingly, one branch of the Rehkopf family moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, in the late 19th century and settled in the village of Torquay. The Torquay Rehkopfs are one of the more famous branches of the family.

In addition to all of the current Rehkopfs living in the United States, Canada, and Europe, some Rehkopfs can also be found in South America, especially Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.

Overall, the last name Rehkopf is fairly common in Germany but can also be found in various countries throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Rehkopf

The surname Rehkopf is derived from a German-language occupational name, which essentially means a 'roe deer head'. As with many family names, variations on the spelling and interpretation of the name are common, and in the case of Rehkopf these include Rehkop, Rehkampf, Rehkamp, Reehkopf, Reekop and Raithkopf. Surnames evolved to distinguish between individuals - to make it easier to identify a particular person from a group - but also to indicate a profession, location or even ancestry.

Variations of the name Rehkopf also occurred when people emigrated to other parts of the world. In countries where German was not the primary language, people could adopt changes in the spelling of their name. As an example, the Dutch and Dutch-influenced variant of Rehkopf is Rehkopf, though it can also be adapted to Rehkop, Rieckopf and Reeckopf. In English-speaking countries, the spelling could be slightly altered for English pronunciation, to Reeckopf or Reacoppf.

From a historical perspective, one of the oldest variations of the name Rehkopf includes Reh cortisol, which dates back to the late 1700s in the town of Meissen, Saxony, Germany. Other ancient variants include Rochkop, Rothkop and Rehkamp, with records reaching back to 1420 in Lower Saxony.

These variants, together with spellings, can be found in many countries with a German or German-influenced population, such as Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and countries in Central and Eastern Europe like Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. In the United States, the surname is usually spelled Rehkopf. Meanwhile, many German-Americans living in Russia adopted the surname Rehkop, which is still used today in some parts of that country.

Famous people with the name Rehkopf

• William Rehkopf: German music director, composer, and arranger, most remembered for his work on the popular TV show, Die Drei ??
• Kay Rehkopf: German model and actress, best known for her roles in The Countess and Little Life stories.
• Bernd Rehkopf: Austrian businessman, best known for his acquisition of one of the world’s largest bookmakers, Tipwin.
• Karl Rehkopf: German industrialist and former Governor of the Bundesbank (German Central Bank).
• Walter Rehkopf: Brazilian TV and film composer and producer, best known for his scores for the movies Gallofree and Genesis.
• Ursula Rehkopf: German actress and radio presenter, best known for her role in the television series Berlin Babylon.
• Felix Rehkopf: German swimmer and Olympic medalist, most remembered for his silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
• Wolfgang Rehkopf: German cartographer and scientist, best remembered for his contribution in the mapping of the North Sea.
• Elisabeth Rehkopf: German banker and former president of the Saxony-Anhalt State Bank.
• Axel Rehkopf: German educator and former Speaker of the German Parliament.

Other surnames

RehkopRehkopp