Surname Reh - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Shadows of History: An In-depth Insight into the Surname Reh Through IGENEA DNA Test
My personal experience with the IGENEA DNA test was an enlightening journey into my family history. The test offered new insights into my surname, Reh, revealing a rich ancestry that drew me closer to my roots.
E. Reh
read moreReh: What does the surname Reh mean?
The last name Reh is of Germanic and Jewish origin. It derives from the Old German word "rah," meaning a path or road. It is also the German word for a heron, and is likely related to the Old High German word "hring," meaning a heron. The name may have been given to a family because of an ancestor's occupation of travelling along roads, because of a physical resemblence to a heron, or because of a family view of aspirations to travel far and wide.
The earliest recorded reference to the Reh family was in 1289, in an area close to modern Germany. In the late 1700s, some members of the Reh family left for other places such as the United States and Palestine. In the US, the Reh name is most prominent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
The meaning of the name Reh is "on the road," which is a fitting description for a family who has travelled far and wide in search of a new home. The name may also represent a sense of ambition and a longing for exploration, reflecting the families history of mileage and migration. As a Jewish family name, the Reh may also be a symbol of perseverance in the face of displacement, and an enduring determination of people who have sought a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisReh: Where does the name Reh come from?
The last name Reh is most common among people of German heritage. The name originated in Germany, and is still quite popular there. The Reh family name is believed to be derived from the German word "Reh" meaning deer, and is likely an occupational name referring to a deer hunter.
The Reh last name can be found throughout Europe with Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Norway being some of the countries with the highest concentration of the surname. Additionally, it can be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia, dating back to the immigration of Europeans in the 19th century.
The Reh surname is not overly common, but can be found throughout the world. It is estimated that there are more than 140,000 people living with the Reh surname around the world. In the United States, it is ranked 15,539 out of 150,000 in 2020, making it a moderately common surname. It is most prevalent in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
The surname Reh carries an interesting meaning and history. Those with the last name are seemingly connected to families of hunters, suggesting that they are hardworking and take pride in their job. As the Reh surname has spread throughout the centuries, it has become symbolic of tradition, strength, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Variations of the surname Reh
The surname Reh is a German, Jewish, and Scandinavian surname with multiple variations in spelling. These include Rah, Re, Reeh, Rehe, Rehling, Rehm, Rey, Reyh, Vrey, and Vreyh.
In Germany, the Reh surname is derived from the Middle High German "ra" meaning "roe deer" in referring to animals often hunted in Germany. The surname can also be derived from the Middle High German "rahhe" denoting a pool or open ground where roe deer congregate.
The Jewish version of the surname Reh is derived from the Hebrew "roe" meaning "a sense of sight" or "to see." In this sense, it was a metonymic occupational name for someone who examined things thoroughly. The Jewish Reh surname is also found in Hebrew records as "Rey" or "Reyh."
In Scandinavia, the Reh surname is derived from the Old Norse "rikur," meaning "ruler" or "king," and may have originated as a nickname for a power-hungry person. The Scandinavian variation of the surname is most frequently found as "Vrey" or "Vreyh."
The Reh surname is also common in countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, and Slovakia, and can be found in other countries as well. Variations of the Reh surname in these countries may include Rah, Reeh, Rehling, and Rehm.
Famous people with the name Reh
- David Reh: American sculptor known for his urban sculptures and public art installations
- Neale Donald Walsch: American author, counselor, and speaker best known for his book series Conversations with God
- Gilles Rehault de Virel: French sculptor and medalist
- Bernd Rehwald: German hurdler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Jan Rehberger: German modern artist and designer
- André Rehfisch: German entomologist
- Georg Rehfisch: German journalist and author
- Johannes Reh: German cinematographer, known for his work on the film Goodbye, Lenin!
- Rüdiger Rehberg: German politician
- Josef Reh: German Esperantist and editor, known for his work on rectifying Esperanto grammar and spelling