Surname Reuben-Koenig - Meaning and Origin
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Reuben-Koenig: What does the surname Reuben-Koenig mean?
The last name Reuben-Koenig is a hyphenated surname, possibly of Jewish or German origin. The first part "Reuben" is a Biblical name, originating from one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Old Testament, and it means "behold, a son" in Hebrew. The second part "Koenig" is of German origin, and it means "king". Hence, the combined surname could be interpreted as "Behold, a son who is a king". However, in the context of a surname, it is more likely to illustrate a lineage or denote a family connection rather than provide a literal meaning. A hyphenated surname like this often indicates a combination of two family names, possibly as a result of marriage or to honor both lines of the family. The practice is common in many cultures and can denote a variety of family histories or traditions. It's important to note that actual meanings can vary based on specific family histories and interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisReuben-Koenig: Where does the name Reuben-Koenig come from?
The last name Reuben-Koenig is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. Some people of this surname may also reside in neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Czech Republic.
The name is thought to have originated from one of the common Jewish surnames in the Middle Ages called “Reuben”, which was derived from the Hebrew biblical name Jacob's first-born son - Reuben. The “Koenig” which means “king” in German was added to the surname at some point either to reflect a person’s royalty or nobility, or simply to differentiate between people with the same last name.
The surname first appeared in German records in the late 1500s in the city of Bonn, and by the 1600s, had spread to other parts of Central Europe. By the 1700s, it had become a popular surname among the Jewish community in Central Europe, so much so, that the name is now found in many countries in the world - from the United States to areas of South America and Australia.
The Reuben-Koenig surname remains popular in Germany and Austria today - with a total of around 10,000 people with the name living in the two countries. Outside of these two countries, the next largest group of people with the Reuben-Koenig surname are located in the United States with around 1,800 people in total carrying the last name.
Variations of the surname Reuben-Koenig
The surname Reuben-Koenig is of German origin and is likely derived from the German given name Reuben, which means "behold! a son," and the German word for king, koenig. There are a few different variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin as Reuben-Koenig.
Variant spellings include Reubinkoenig, Reubin-Konig, Reubin-Koenig, Reubin Koeing, and Rubinkoeing. German spellings include Reubin König and Ruben-König. Other surnames related to Reuben-Koenig are Reibenkonig, Riebenkoening, Reibenkonning, and Reubankoening.
A few other German surnames with similar spellings include Reibin, Rieben, Reybin, Reben, Roeiben, and Roeibin, which all derive from the given name Reuben. In Dutch these spellings can be found as Ruben, Roeben, Reuben, Reebin, Reiben, and Roebben. Moreover, some of these spellings can also be found in Flemish and Yiddish.
Overall, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames that are related to Reuben-Koenig. Although some spellings differ in language, they all can trace their origins back to the German given name Reuben and the German word for king, Koenig.
Famous people with the name Reuben-Koenig
- Christian Reuben-Koenig: an award-winning architect with his own practice based in Zurich.
- Martin Reuben-Koenig: a renowned American concert guitarist, who released several solo albums.
- Alyce Reuben-Koenig: an actress and singer who was cast in led roles in the musicals South Pacific and The Fantasticks.
- Tom Reuben-Koenig: a famous photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide.
- Lia Reuben-Koenig: a Swiss model and fashion icon who became the face of numerous consumer brands.
- Jon Reuben-Koenig: an award-winning wildlife photographer whose images have been featured in publications around the world.
- Maral Reuben-Koenig: a leading figure in contemporary abstract impressionism and an award-winning sculptor.
- Alex Reuben-Koenig: a notable painter whose works are held by various private collections and institutions.
- Laurence Reuben-Koenig: a Swiss professional athlete who competed in triathlons and other endurance sports.
- Lee Reuben-Koenig: an award-winning musician, composer, and vocalist.