Surname Reuters - Meaning and Origin

Reuters: What does the surname Reuters mean?

The last name Reuters is a German surname that originated in the Middle Ages. The root of the name is the Middle High German word, "reuter," which means "courier." During the time period of its origin, reuters were messengers who traveled long distances to deliver news, documents, and packages from one location to another. Reuter families emerged as a result of the practice, with their name referencing the occupation of the family members.

The Reuters family name would have been passed down from generation to generation, and was likely adopted by many familes especially throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Those who adopted the last name today likely have roots in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

Today, the last name Reuters is recognizable throughout the world as the name of the world's largest news agency, Reuters News. Founded in 1851, Reuters News was officially called the Reuters Telegram Company. Over the years, the news agency has grown to become one of the most prominent news sources in the world, reporting on political and economic news from over 200 countries.

The name Reuters has become known for providing a reliable, trustworthy source of news. This legacy lives on, even in its original form as the Reuters family name. The last name continues to symbolize dependability and accuracy, and is sure continue to be passed down for many generations to come.

Reuters: Where does the name Reuters come from?

The last name Reuters is primarily found throughout the German diaspora, concentrated primarily in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. It is also present in parts of Scandinavia, Argentina, Canada, and Brazil. From the late 19th century, when the first Reuters landed in America, the name has also spread to the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

The original bearer of the name, Johann Jakob Reuters, was a Jewish refugee from Germany who migrated to the United States. From there, the name migrated to other countries, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, due to migration, emigration, and resettlement. Immigration to the United States from Germany and other countries with a strong history of Jewish presence further increased the frequency of the Reuters name.

The name is still common today, particularly in Germany. Its popularity is well documented in German cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Cologne. German-American communities are also known to have significant numbers of people bearing this name.

In many parts of the world, the name is still a fairly common and distinguished surname. People with the name Reuters have made notable contributions in various fields, from art, politics, and science to business and industry. Outside of Germany, the name is present in notable numbers in other countries with strong German-speaking diasporas, such as Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and Argentina.

Variations of the surname Reuters

The surname Reuters is a common surname throughout Europe and can be spelled variously as Reuter, Retter, Rueter, Reutzer, Roeter, Roehrich, Reoderer, Reuterich, Rueter, Ruter, Reute, Reuterau, Reutermann, Rettermann, Rettermeier, Reuterl, Reithmeier and Rothmayer.

The name Reuters is derived from the German word meaning 'crude, primitive' and has become a descriptive term for someone of rustic and simple manners or one who farmed the land. This occupational ranking also made it a popular surname during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period.

Many of the variant spellings of the surname stem from the various spoken dialects in Northern and Western Europe. Regional variations of the original spelling would have occurred as people spread and immigrated to other parts of Europe. Reuter, Reter, Rueter and Reuterl all originate from the Elsass-Lothringen region in France. Reoderer, Reuterau, Reutermann, Rettermann, and Rettermeier come from Germany while Reuterich and Reithmeier could be traced back to Austria.

These spellings could also be taken up in other languages, such as Italian Retter and Flemish Roehrich. Other variants, such as Roeter, Reutzer, Ruter, Reute and Rothmayer are of more uncertain origin and could have arisen independently.

Overall, the origin of the surname Reuters is quite diverse and is an example of how the same name can vary on a regional and international level depending on the pronunciation of the locale.

Famous people with the name Reuters

• Christina Reuterskiöld: Swedish writer and correspondent.
• Christopher Samuel Reuters: born 18 January 1810 in Aachen, Germany. He was a pioneering journalist who worked as an agent for the Reuters news agency.
• Christian Ferdinand Reuters: German journalist and philanthropist.
• Felix Reuters: German businessman and founder of the Reuters news agency.
• Julius Reuter: Romanian-born British businessman and founder of the Reuters news agency.
• Albert Reuter: first Editor of Reuters News.
• Friedrich Christiaan Reuter: Foreign Editor of Reuters News.
• Tobias RL Reuter: Canadian mortgage banker and philanthropist.
• Ludwig Reuter: German musician and composer.
• Henri-Geoffrey Reuter: French conductor and composer.
• Anna Reuters: German actress.
• Paul Reuter: German-born Danish sculptor.
• Jakob Emanuel Reuters: German educator.
• Emil B. Reuter: German mathematician.
• Ilsabé Reuter: Dutch politician.
• Juliusz Reuter: Polish lawyer and journalist.

Other surnames

ReutemannReuter