Surname Reibenspies - Meaning and Origin
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Reibenspies: What does the surname Reibenspies mean?
The last name Reibenspies is a German surname that can be broken down into two parts: reiben and spies. The root word reiben has several translations from German to English, including to rub, to grate, and to grind. This indicates that the original Reibenspies family likely held a profession or skill associated with grinding or rubbing materials. This expertise likely natured from the Middle Ages when craftsmen were necessary to complete a variety of tasks, including milling and grinding grain, sharpening metal tools, and polishing furniture.
The second part of the surname, spies, is a German word meaning “to spy out,” indicating that the original family members were investigative or spying-type professions. The combination of the two words might refer to a family member (or members) who were expert investigators or spies during the Middle Ages. It is also quite possible that the Reibenspies family belonged to a guild of investigative experts or “spies” in their local region.
Given the two distinct meanings of the two parts of the last name, it is likely that the original family members were skilled in the art of grinding, rubbing and investigating. The historical implications of this last name are a testament to the power of family names and the cultures from which they originated.
Order DNA origin analysisReibenspies: Where does the name Reibenspies come from?
The last name Reibenspies is an uncommon name today. The original origin of the name Reibenspies is unclear, as it does not appear to have a traditional etymology. It is, however, traditionally considered a German surname, one that appears to have been adopted by people of that descent.
Today, the last name Reibenspies is most commonly found in areas which have a substantial German-speaking population. This includes, primarily, countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as US states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin, which all have a relatively large German population.
The number of people with the last name Reibenspies living in these areas is quite small, however. According to a quick search on the ScryGene database, there are only about 500 people living in the US who have the last name Reibenspies. A search in the same database for Germany and Austria shows only a handful of people with the last name Reibenspies as well. Therefore, the last name Reibenspies is considered quite uncommon today.
Despite the fact that the number of people with the last name Reibenspies is small, there are documented records of the name being passed down throughout Europe from generation to generation. This means that the name has, and will likely continue to, live on despite its current state of relative obscurity.
Variations of the surname Reibenspies
The surname Reibenspies is an old German name that is believed to have first appeared in the early 15th century. It is composed of two words: “Reibe”, meaning “to rub” and “Spies”, meaning “stalk”. There are various variants and spellings of the name, depending on the region and country of origin. The most common variants of the surname include Reibenspieß, Riebenspieß, Reibenspiesz, Rubenstein, Raupenspies, and Raupstein.
The surname is also known by several other surnames of similar origin such as Reibold, Riebold, and Ribold. Some of the variant spellings of these surnames include Riebalt, Reibald, Rieboldt, and Rypald.
In the United States, the surname is often found as Rubenstein, Raupstein, Rubenstin, Ribenstein, and Reubenstine. There is also 'Rubensteen' and 'Riebenspies', which are variants of the name that have been found in Dutch and German records.
In the United Kingdom, the surname can be found spelled as Riebenspeis, Riebenspeiss, Reibenspies, and Rubenstine.
Reibenspies is a very old name and has been found in records from all over the world. Although the spelling may vary depending on the country or region, the basic meaning and origin of the name remain the same.
Famous people with the name Reibenspies
- Magdalena Reibenspieß: German actress
- Chris Reibenspies: US-American videographer and photographer
- Franz Reibenspies: Austrian architect
- Anne Reibenspies: tchoukball champion from Austria
- Serge Reibenspies: French alpine skier
- Heinz Reibenspies: Austrian art director and costume designer
- Emil Reibenspies: German baritone singer
- Eric Reibenspies: Belgian soccer player
- Johann Reibenspies: German politician and Mayor of Munich
- Balázs Reibenspies: Hungarian entrepreneur and venture capitalist