Surname Rathenow - Meaning and Origin
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Rathenow: What does the surname Rathenow mean?
The surname Rathenow is derived from a place name in the German state of Brandenburg. It first appeared as Rathnow in 1462, and derives from the Middle High German words “rath” meaning council and “now” meaning district or settlement.
The earliest known ancestor of the Rathenow family was Adalbert von Rathenow. He was the director of the council of Kurmark, a region situated to the east of Berlin, in 1361. The Rathenow family owned lands in this area for many centuries and were associated with its politics and history.
The Rathenow coat-of-arms features five feathers behind a shield. The five feathers were an important symbol to the Rathenow family, representing truth, justice, faith, Hope and love. The shield was used to symbolise protection and a reminder of the Rathenow family’s strength and power.
The Rathenow family are now as widely dispersed across Europe and around the world as the people who bear the name. Rathenow descendants can be found in Germany, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
For hundreds of years the Rathenow family have been associated with power, justice, strength, protection and a rich, long standing history. For those lucky enough to bear the name, the legacy of Rathenow is one to be deeply cherished.
Order DNA origin analysisRathenow: Where does the name Rathenow come from?
The last name Rathenow is most commonly found in Germany today, especially in the northern part of the country. This is believed to be due to traditions of migration and cultural exchange between Germany and Eastern Europe during the early twentieth century. Historically, the last name Rathenow comes from the city of Rathenow in Brandenburg, Germany, just outside of Berlin. Records show that the name Rathenow was in use by German families as far back as the 1400s, when the city was founded around 1270.
Although the Rathenow surname is widespread throughout Germany, the city of Rathenow is home to the highest concentration of people with the name. According to a 2018 report from the Brandenburg Statistics Office, the city was home to an estimated 1,400 Rathenows. This marks a significant increase from the 200 or so inhabitants in the 1800s.
Today, Rathenow continues to be an important center for the Rathenow family, with an organization, the Rathenow Club, dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the family. Founded in 1902, the club hosts reunions and gatherings for descendants of the Rathenow name, as well as maintains an extensive archive of family records and genealogical information. The Rathenow family has also come to be associated with certain fortune and a spirit of wanderlust, no doubt due to the travels and success of its past members.
Variations of the surname Rathenow
The surname Rathenow is the name of a town in the German state of Brandenburg. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Rathenow include Rathenau, Rathney, Rathfall, Rathner, and Rottenau.
Rathenau is a variant of Rathenow. It is a German name with Jewish origin that is derived from the German word rot, which means "red," and the German word hain, which means “enclosure.” This name is believed to have come from a description of a place with red walls or a red stone. This variant was primarily used in the 19th century.
Rathney is an alternate spelling of the Rathenow surname. This form of the name is particularly associated with Jewish families who immigrated from the Germany area and settled in the United States.
Rathfall is another version of the name Rathenow and is also of Jewish origin. It can be traced back to Germany and is believed to refer to a place surrounded by a red wall or stone.
Rathner is the variant spelling of Rathenow that is most commonly used today. It is believed to have derived from the German word rathen, which means “with a red wall.”
Finally, Rottenau is the German variation of Rathenow and is believed to come from the words rot and hof, which mean “red court.” This variant is still used in Germany today.
Famous people with the name Rathenow
- Harry Rathenow (1878-1958): German expressionist painter.
- Ralf Rathenow (born 1953): East German football player.
- Günter Rathenow (1905–1986): German author and dramatist.
- Rainer Rathenow (born 1940): East German Olympic rower.
- Wilhelm Rathenow (1877–1959): German botanist and plant pathologist.
- Maike Rathenow (born 1970): German film director.
- Hermann Rathenow (1848–1904): German literary scholar and critic.
- Rudi Rathenow (born 1945): East German Olympic rower.
- Ernst Rathenow (born 1947): German writer, actor, and director.
- Gabriele Rathenow (born 1954): East German TV series actor.