Surname Rein - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Ancestry and Connecting Families: A Personal Review of the iGENEA DNA Test
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B. Rein
read moreRein: What does the surname Rein mean?
The last name Rein is believed to have originated from Northern Germany and is the German word for 'Roe', which refers to a species of deer. It can also be derived from the German word 'reine' which means 'pure'. This indicates the possibility of the Rein surname being affiliated with a wealthy or noble family.
The Rein last name has been carried on through generations and now is scattered across many countries since it was relocated during the 18th century.
Many Rein families have added distinctive surnames to their original given name to act as a form of identification. For example, some Rein members may have their last name combined with De as Rein de or von as Rein von in order to differentiate their families.
Additionally, the Rein surname is often changed to fit with other languages, such as Reyne in France, Rhein in Austria, Reinhold in Scotland, or even the Dutch Raven, Reyneke, and Run.
Rein is a very uncommon name, and those that do hold the Rein surname are relatively few. Nevertheless, they are often proud of their long history with the name. It is likely the Rein family's ancient roots still remain important to them, and keeping their last name in the centuries-old manner is one way of holding onto their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisRein: Where does the name Rein come from?
The last name Rein is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries today. It is an occupational surname, as it derives from the German word “Rein” meaning “pure”. It likely refers to a person who purified or refined something, and is typically found in the context of a metalworker or glassmaker. For example, it is likely that a Silberschmied– a German silversmith – was referred to as Rein.
The last name is also found in countries where German immigrants settled in the 19th and 20th centuries. These include the United States, which by 1890 had an estimated 213,000 German-born immigrants. In the US, the spelling of the last name may vary slightly, to Rain or Rhine.
In addition to Germany and the United States, Rein is also commonly found in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and parts of eastern Europe. It is quite common in countries in the former Soviet Union, such as Belarus and Ukraine. It is also found in other places, like Australia, Italy, and the United Kingdom, although not as frequently.
Overall, the surname Rein is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, although it has spread to other countries in recent centuries. Variants of the name can be found in countries throughout the world, evidence of the legacy of immigration by German people.
Variations of the surname Rein
The Rein surname can have various expressions, but typically all are derived from the Old German “ragin,” meaning “spear-like”. The most commonly encountered variants of Rein are Rehn, Reen, Reine, Reines, and even Rayne. Other common spellings and surnames of Rein include Rhein, Rhine, Rhyne, Rhines, Raines, Reinke, Raynes, Rayn, and Rains.
Rein/Rehn is an old Germanic name that refers to a spear-like weapon used by medieval knights. It could also be a reference to a person's character, being used to describe a person as being “bold, strong, courageous, and determined”. Thus, Rein and its variants can be seen as a reference to the qualities of a medieval knight.
In the United States, the Rein surname is most common amongst descendants of German or Swiss immigrant families. In other countries, such as Hungary, Canada, and South Africa, immigrants from the Palatinate region of Germany are more likely to carry the Rein/Rehn surname. Other countries with the highest concentration of Rein/Rehn individuals include England, Sweden, France, Russia, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Due to the diverse origins of the Rein/Rehn surname, there are numerous variants of the spelling and surnames associated with it, though ultimately, they all refer to a person with the same qualities commonly associated with a traditional medieval knight.
Famous people with the name Rein
- Katie Rein, American professional wrestler
- Petra Rein, German TV presenter and author
- Florian Rein, German opera singer
- Alfred Rein, German Olympic athlete
- Leni Riefenstahl, German actress, filmmaker and dancer
- Ludvig Rein, Norwegian ice hockey player
- Max Rein, German actor
- Christina Rein, American artist and model
- David Reinecke, American composer, pianist and conductor
- Konrad Rein, German politician
- Yohana Rein, American sitcom and film actress
- Stefan Rein, German classical and jazz guitarist
- Anita Rein, German multimedia artist
- Evelyn Rein, German folk singer
- Konrad Reinhardt, German mathematician
- Gretel Rein, Austrian actress and singer
- Alfred Reiné, Belgian painter
- Lutz Rein, Swiss sound engineer
- Solvejg Rein, Danish composer
- Robin Rein, American singer and songwriter