Surname Rehkop - Meaning and Origin

Rehkop: What does the surname Rehkop mean?

The last name Rehkop is a German-language surname that originated in northern Germany. The name likely originates in the Middle Ages and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "rahk", which means "horn". It is thought that the family either originated from an ancestor who lived at a place where deer antlers were collected, sold, or used to produce hunting horn equipment, or else the family may have had ancestral ties to hunters who used horn instruments in their profession.

In modern times, Rehkop has become a rather common last name in northern Germany. While it is still not especially well-known outside of the region, Rhehkop is often found in communities along the border of northern Germany and the Netherlands.

Rehkop is an interesting last name, both because of its etymological history and its continued prevalence in the northern German region. Though the exact origin of the name is not known for certain, it is likely that the Rehkops of today are directly descended from what is believed to be the same ancestor who gave the family its name centuries ago. With its German roots and ancestral ties to hunting and horn instruments, Rehkop provides an interesting glimpse into the family history of those who bear its name.

Rehkop: Where does the name Rehkop come from?

The last name Rehkop is most common today in Northern Germany, particularly in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony. It is also present in other parts of Germany, but less frequently. The diversity of locations where this name is current can be attributed to German migration, as Germany has historically served as an important center for cultural exchange.

In Schleswig-Holstein, Rehkop is a common name in its larger cities, such as Kiel and Lübeck. It is also prevalent in the rural areas of the state. Similarly, in Hamburg, the name is found throughout the city and the surrounding areas. In Lower Saxony, the name Rehkop has an especially strong presence. It is most often found in the cities of Hannover and Braunschweig, but also in the numerous smaller towns and villages in this region.

The Rehkop surname is also common in Poland, Denmark, and Sweden, although its presence in these countries is not as widespread as it is in Germany. Furthermore, it is a relatively uncommon name in Austria, though it can still be found, particularly in Vienna.

In North America, the name Rehkop is present in small numbers in the United States and Canada. It is likely that the immigrants who carried it there migrated from Northern Germany or their ancestral villages in this powerful region.

Variations of the surname Rehkop

Rehkop is an uncommon surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word “reh” meaning “roe deer” and “kop” meaning “head”, so can be translated to mean “roe deer’s head”. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Rehkop include Reh, Rehkopp, Rehkau, Rehke, Rehker, Rehkemp, Rehker, Roekop, Roekopp and Roekau.

The surname Rehkop is mainly found in central and northern Germany, with some present in the Netherlands, Austria and the United States. According to records, the earliest known bearing of the Rehkop surname was Johannes Rehkop, born in 1707 in Germany. The United States Census Bureau recorded the surname Rehkop being present in the U.S. in 1880, when a certain John Rehkop was listed as living in Illinois.

Rehkop is a relatively rare surname, with only 1,338 people with the name recorded in the world today. However, it is likely that many more people with the same surname of Rehkop, with its various spellings and extensions, have yet to be documented.

Famous people with the name Rehkop

• Christian Rehkop: Football player who currently plays for the German team of SC Paderborn 07 as a midfielder.
• Jana Rehkop: German social media influencer and model.
• Robert Rehkop: American on-ice official for the National Hockey league who is currently working as the supervisor of officials.
• Dan Rehkop: American college football coach and the current head coach of the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks.
• John Rehkop: American rock vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman of the psychedelic rock band Holy Wave.
• Franz Rehkop: German physicist and neurophysiologist who made groundbreaking studies in the fields of visual perception and figure-ground organization.
• Karl Rehkop: British sculptor and painter, best known for his metal sculptures and lifelike figures.
• Ivan Rehkop: Russian entrepreneur and CEO of a Russian-based advertising agency.
• Eric Rehkop: Computer programmer who co-created the game engine FPS Creator.
• Matthew Rehkop: United States Navy Lieutenant Commander and the winner of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism in 2015.

Other surnames

RehkopfRehkopp