Surname Reinalter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reinalter: What does the surname Reinalter mean?
The last name Reinalter is of Germanic origin and originally meant someone who was an inhabitant of a reindeer territory. The name may have originated from a region in the German Alps where reindeer used to inhabit. The meaning could also stem from the Germanic words "raien," meaning "rider," and "alter," meaning "old" or "ancient." Given these possible etymological origins, the last name Reinalter could signify an old man who once rode or herded reindeer.
Reinalter is an uncommon surname and likely limited to places in Europe where Germanic culture is prominent. It could also denote a family that has resided in the same area for many generations. People with the last name Reinalter could be related to their ancestors who lived in an area populated with reindeer, or perhaps their ancestors were old riders of the majestic beasts.
Today, people with the last name Reinalter could feel a connection to their ancestral past and could honor their family history by researching the meaning of their name. They could also find comfort in the fact that their last name may have an ancient and noble origin.
Order DNA origin analysisReinalter: Where does the name Reinalter come from?
The last name Reinalter is believed to have originated in Germany, and the highest concentration of people with this last name can still be found there today. According to forebears.io, about 300 people currently bear this surname, mostly living in Germany. Additionally, it appears in Switzerland and Austria in much smaller numbers.
Reinalter is a fairly uncommon surname overall, and appears to have only gained a foothold in the United States relatively recently. According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of people living in the United States with this surname is very small, with just 54 people counted in the 2019 data. The vast majority of these individuals live in New York and California, with New York leading the way.
In fact, many of the modern day Reinalters in the United States can trace their ancestry back to one man, Gottfried Reinalter, who emigrated from Austria in the late 1800s. He was the earliest known bearer of the name in the US, and many of his descendants can still be found there today, especially in areas like east Texas.
Overall, the last name Reinalter is still heavily concentrated in Germany, and Austria and Switzerland to a lesser extent. It is only recently that the surname has grown in popularity in the United States, mostly due to the descendants of Gottfried Reinalter and other emigrating families.
Variations of the surname Reinalter
Reinalter is a German surname with origins dating back to the 13th century. In its original form the name was spelled Reichnalter or Reichhalter. As the centuries changed, so did the name, leading to the many variants, spellings and surnames of Reinalter that exist today.
Variant spellings of Reinalter include Reihnalter, Rainalter, Rienalter, Reinahlter, Reinhalter, Reienhalt, Rinehalter, Ryenalter, Reyhnalt, Reihnalt, Reynehalter, Reynalt, Rehnholder and Reignhalter. Surnames that share common denominators of Reinalter in spelling and pronunciation include Rehne, Rehn, Renne, Rene, Raynal, Rayhnal and Reynol.
The spelling of the surname has been affected by immigration and language changes over time, such as when the Reinalter family emigrated to other countries or when dialects changed, leading to mishearings of the original pronunciation.
Today, Reinalter is still an active surname and is especially common in Germany and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and the United Kingdom. The surname has remained more or less unchanged despite the various spellings and variations, and is still widely recognized as being of German origins.
Famous people with the name Reinalter
- Alexander Reinalter: Austrian classical scholar, author, and professor of classical philology.
- Claudia Reinalter: German art historian and professor.
- Elena Reinalter: Austrian political scientist, feminist activist, and professor of international relations.
- Esteban Reinalter: Argentine biker, world-record holder, and social activist.
- Franz Reinalter: Austrian politician, trade unionist, and former president of the Austrian Chamber of Labour.
- Gustav Reinalter: Austrian composer, conductor, and organist.
- Adolf Reinalter: Austrian sculptor, painter, and professor of art history.
- Jördis Reinalter: Swiss statistician, data analyst, and lecturer.
- Mary Jane Reinalter: American actress and singer.
- Nathalie Reinalter: French writer, lecturer, and professor of literature.