Surname Reinholt - Meaning and Origin

Reinholt: What does the surname Reinholt mean?

The last name Reinholt is an occupational surname, stemming from the German word “Reinholz” meaning “clean woods.” This was a name given to people whose occupational specialty was the cutting and preparing of fresh timber for fuel or construction purposes, and those whose job was to survey, diagnose, and manage woodland resources.

The name originated in Europe during the Middle Ages and is found in countries like Norway, Sweden, and Germany. The name also appeared in England during the 1600s, when people of Scandinavian or German descent came to England. Many of those with the Reinholt surname eventually made their way to the United States, where it is still found today.

People from this line of ancestry have been associated with many occupations related to forestry and wood management. This includes loggers, timber merchants, carpenters, and woodworkers. They often established saw mills and lumber yards, and were known to have a knowledge for ensuring the most efficient and viable use of wood resources.

The Reinholt last name has been around for centuries, representing a tradition of hard work and dedication to the forestry industry. Its presence can be seen around the world, and the skills it stands for will continue to be important for the sustainable management of wood resources.

Reinholt: Where does the name Reinholt come from?

The last name Reinholt is of European origin and is found primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, Reinholt is most common in the northern parts, in particular in the states of North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The name has been found in records from the Middle Ages in Bavaria as well as scattered throughout South Germany.

In Austria, Reinholt is primarily found in the state of Burgenland although the name is also very common in Vienna. Reinholt is known to have originated in the Tyrol region at some point in the Middle Ages.

In Switzerland, the name is most common in the Canton of Bern and in German-speaking regions like Basel City and Zürich. The name was found in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in the 16th century.

Outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Reinholt is found in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has also been found in Denmark and the Netherlands, with the highest concentration of Reinholts in the Netherlands located in the town of Gemert-Bakel.

Reinholt appears to be an uncommon name in most parts of the world today, but due to its robust presence in the German-speaking world, it is likely that it will remain common at least in its original homeland.

Variations of the surname Reinholt

Reinholt is an uncommon surname believed to have Germanic origins. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are as follows:

Reinholdt

Rheinholt

Reinholz

Reinhold

Rineholt

Ringolt

Renholt

Rainholt

Reinholtz

Rynholt

The variants of this name tended to occur in localized area during the medieval era. It is very likely that Reinhold and Reinholt were actually two spellings of the same name and that any variations were the product of misspellings and illiteracy, rather than distinct surnames.

Variations of Reinholt can also be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. There are also some variations recorded in Sweden. Most of the things that produce variants of the name derive from their original spelling, i.e., the "R" could sometimes be mistakenly rendered as a "P" resulting in a different reading. Similarly, the "H" could be misunderstood and the "L" could be misunderstood, sometimes resulting in a different pronunciation.

Overall, Reinholt and its variants and spellings are spread across Europe and are an uncommon but not scarce surname. Many people who bear this surname belong to the same family line.

Famous people with the name Reinholt

• Udo Reintholz: German actor, best known for his roles in German films and television shows.
• Bill Reinholt: American broadcasting executive.
• Tom Reinholt: Danish footballer.
• Ernst Reintholt: German politician, former mayor of Düsseldorf.
• Peggy Reinholt: American television writer and producer who has written for many popular programs, such as Gárgolas, Days of Our Lives and Wheel of Fortune.
• Prime Minister Gerhard Reinholt: Swedish Prime Minister from October 2006 to October 2014.
• Max Reinholt: Slovak hockey player who was part of the 1996 World Cup championship team.
• Karl Reinholt: German novelist who wrote several bestselling books in the early 20th century.
• Karl Reinholt Jr.: Son of Karl Reinholt, notable German philosopher.
• Rik Reinholt: Dutch businessman and former CEO of Philips Electronics.

Other surnames

ReinholdReinholdtReinholtzReinholz