Surname Rehnold - Meaning and Origin
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Rehnold: What does the surname Rehnold mean?
The last name Rehnold is most likely derived from the Scandinavian name Reginhold, which combines two Old Norse words: "Regin" meaning "advice" or "decision", and "hold" meaning "power," or "rule". The name was commonly used in Northern Germany, where "Rehn" meaning "hawk" was substituted for "Regin". Thus, the surname Rehnold is thought to mean a "Powerful Ruler".
The Rehnolds family likely had members in two prominent areas, Saxony in the northeast and the Rhineland-Westphalia in the west, although more research would need to be done to uncover possible locations of origin. It's likely that the family migrated from one area to the other as opportunities arose, or as conflicts arose.
The Rehnold family coat of arms, featuring a black bird carrying a bundle of arrows in its talons, is symbolic of the families’ rule and power over all. It's been widely adopted by the Rehnold family members as a sign of their legacy and heritage.
In more modern times, the Rehnold name is still seen in many parts of Germany. It's likely to have also been adopted by other families who migrated from Germanic countries to America, Canada, and Australia. Stemming from its Norse origins, the Rehnold family is one of many that has left its mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisRehnold: Where does the name Rehnold come from?
The last name Rehnold is believed to be of German origin and has been fairly common in the United States for over 100 years. Today, Rehnold is primarily found in the Midwestern regions of the United States, especially in the states of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In addition to that, the name Rehnold is also fairly common within some parts of Canada.
In the British Isles, name Rehnold is not as common but can still be found in some parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. Records have also shown the name cropping up in various parts of Northern Europe and even a few spots in Southeast Asia.
When compared to global population, the number of people with the last name Rehnold is quite small. This is especially true when taking into consideration the United States' population of over 300 million. According to the most recent United States census data, there are less than 5,000 people with the last name Rehnold living within the United States.
Briefly looking outside of the United States, the last name Rehnold can also still be found scattered throughout regions such as Europe and Asia. However, the population numbers of those areas with regards to this surname are much smaller and more limited.
Overall, the last name Rehnold is still a relatively common surname in today's world, particularly in countries such as the United States.
Variations of the surname Rehnold
The surname Rehnold has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings used today are Rehnolds, Rehnells, Reynolds, Rhenolds, and Renauds. Each of these variations of the Rehnold surname is derived from a different source.
The most common variant, Rehnold, is derived from German origins. It is a patronymic form of the Middle High German first name, Reinold, which was also used in the Eight Century. In Low German it was spelled Reinald, Reynold and, in French, Renaud.
Rehnolds is a variant of Rehnold and is derived from the Old German first name Ranold, which is a combination of two elements “ragin” meaning advice and “wald” which means rule. This surname originated in the eastern regions of Germany, from the Austrian provinces of Lower Austria and (Bosnia and) Herzegovina.
Reynolds is derived from the Old French personal name Reynold, which is a combination of the Germanic words “ragin” and “wald”, as referred to above. The surname Reynolds originated from the Midlands of England, where it is still prevalent today.
Rhenolds is a variant of Rehnold and is derived from the Germanic first name Rainhold, which combined the Germanic word “rajan” with “walt” meaning rule. Rainhold was also commonly spelled Reinold, as mentioned above, and Rhenolds was later adopted as the surname spelling.
Finally, Renauds is a variant of Rehnold and is derived from the French personal name Renaud, which is a variation of the German personal name Rainhold. Renauds began to be used as a surname in France, and also in the provinces of Silesia and Pomerania in Germany.
In summary, the surnames Rehnold, Rehnolds, Reynolds, Rhenolds, and Renauds all originate from various sources, with each spelling offering a slightly different combination of elements.
Famous people with the name Rehnold
- Sam Rehnold: American actor who is best known for his recurring role on the popular television show, The Office.
- Matthew Rehnold: Australian professional surfer who has competed in numerous world surf events.
- Nick Rehnold: American singer and songwriter who has a large following on YouTube.
- Paul Rehnold: Canadian politician who served in the House of Commons from 1993 to 2008.
- Jared Rehnold: British actor who starred in the popular film franchise Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom.
- Eric Rehnold: Brazilian MMA fighter who competed in the UFC middleweight division.
- & 8. John and Mary Rehnold: American philanthropists who established the Rehnold Foundation which helps the needy.
- Brooke Rehnold: Australian businesswoman who founded the health and wellness company Evolve Fitness.
- Chris Rehnold: Canadian Concert Pianist and composer who has played at some of the biggest venues in the world.