Surname Rezlaw - Meaning and Origin

Rezlaw: What does the surname Rezlaw mean?

The last name Rezlaw has a long and interesting history; it is also relatively uncommon. This surname originated in Prussia, which is now part of Germany and Poland. Its original form was “Rezwlaw,” which is derived from the Old German “Rez,” meaning “race” and “wlaw,” meaning “rule” or “law.” Literally translating as “rule of the race,” the name could refer to a people governed by noble lords, or those of a higher status.

However, the meaning of the last name has been somewhat lost over the years. Some scholars suggest it is derived from a longer name, Rezwlawek, which translates to “son of a ruler” or “son of a noble.”

Today, the last name Rezlaw is a relatively rare one, with the surname bearer residing primarily in Europe, mainly in the southern regions. It is thought to be a distant relative of the Germanic or Slavic family name Reis.

In conclusion, the last name Rezlaw has a long and varied history. It is derived from the old German “Rez” and “wlaw,” with the potential meanings of “rule of the race” or “son of a noble.” Those who bear the name are mostly from Europe and are thought to be related to the Germanic or Slavic Reis family.

Rezlaw: Where does the name Rezlaw come from?

The last name Rezlaw is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe and in countries around the Baltic Sea. In terms of regions, it is especially prevalent in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. In terms of population, the greatest concentration is in Russia, with over 50,000 individuals bearing the Rezlaw surname.

The surname Rezlaw first appeared in Central Europe in the 1200s, likely originating in what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over time, the surname then spread throughout the region and eventually gave rise to the numerous variations that we see today. For example, variations of the Rezlaw name include Reclav, Rezlow, Recloff, Rejlaw, Rajlaw, Rejlew, Rajlao, and Reclof.

The individuals with this surname can be traced back to the nobility, which suggests that the surname stem from the Boyar strata of the Medieval social hierarchy of Eastern Europe. As such, the Rezlaw surname symbolizes dignity, honor, and nobility.

Variations of the surname Rezlaw

The Rezlaw surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Reulaw, Reulawe, Reuloway, Raulaw, Rulaw, and Ruleaw. These spellings all share a common origin in the Old French words ‘Reules’ and ‘Lawe’, meaning ‘rules, laws’. This suggests the original bearers of the Rezlaw surname were originally lawyers or officials who held positions of authority.

The surname Rezlaw could also have Germanic origins. It could be an altered form of the Germanic surname Rahe, which is derived from the personal name Rahe, meaning ‘free, powerful’. Additionally, some descendants of the name may have arrived in England from the Rhineland in Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Near cognates and alternate spelling of Rezlaw include Reallaw, Reolaw, Reollaw, Reulow, Reulawe, Reulowe, Rolaw, Rulaw, Rollaw, Ruleaw, Roylaw, Ryalaw, Ryallaw, Raylaw, Roylew, and Rilew. Other surnames of similar origin include Real, Reel, Reiervessel, Arly, Ryle, Reille, Reillau, Reilleau, Reilley, Relle, and Reuhl.

Famous people with the name Rezlaw

• Mariusz Rezlaw: a Polish professional volleyball player
• Mark Rezlaw: an American hip hop artist
• Matt Rezlaw: a Canadian energy professional
• Josh Rezlaw: an American video game tester
• Liam Rezlaw: a British barista and coffee enthusiast
• Jena Rezlaw: an Australian theatre director
• Kolleen Rezlaw: a South African Revivalist preacher
• Chris Rezlaw: a Dutch fashion designer
• Gary Rezlaw: an Ecuadorian salsa music producer
• Fred Rezlaw: an Indian architect

Other surnames

Rezlav