Surname Reifegerst - Meaning and Origin

Reifegerst: What does the surname Reifegerst mean?

The last name Reifegerst is of German origin and is believed to have been derived from the old German words raif or raphe, meaning "hound" or "watchdog," and gerst, from an older root word gast, meaning guest. Together, the two words combine to create the phrase “hound guest”, which refers to the watchdog role of a hound protecting the guests within a castle or home setting.

The Reifegerst name became more prominent in the German region of Rhineland-Palatinate during the late Middle Ages, where records reveal it was derived through multiple generations of that time. In fact, the first individual known to bear the name was Johannes Reifvegher, recorded in the documents from the town of Schullingberg in 1626.

Over time, the Reifegerst surname continued to spread throughout Germany as well as other European countries. Today, the name is a relatively uncommon one. However, it can still be found in the areas of Germany and Austria where it first originated.

The Reifegerst name is meaningful and historically rooted, reflecting the proud heritage of an old German family. The name is a testament to the importance of guarding and watching over one's family and the role of the humble hound in centuries past, and it still carries an air of strength and respect in the present day.

Reifegerst: Where does the name Reifegerst come from?

The Reifegerst surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It can also be found in other parts of Europe, the United States, and Brazil. The surname began to gain popularity in the 12th or 13th century in parts of Northwestern Germany and Austria.

Etymologically, the Reifegerst surname has been said to mean either "house of emperors" or "rich man". It might have even been derived from the personal name "Reginald", which was quite common in the Middle Ages.

Today, the Reifegerst surname is most used in the German-speaking countries of Germany and Austria, with individuals bearing the name originating from several parts of Germany, from large cities to small villages. In recent years, however, many individuals of German origin have migrated to other parts of the world, taking their Reifegerst surname with them.

As a result, today there are Reifegerst families in almost every major city around the world, as well as in smaller towns, cities, and villages. The Reifegerst name is still quite common among communities of German-speaking individuals, and in some small communities it is even more popular. This popularity is often seen in names such as, for example, "Reifegerst-Strasse" (Reifegerst Street Place) or "Reifegerst-Hof" (Reifegerst Court) in Germany and Austria.

Variations of the surname Reifegerst

The surname Reifegerst has a few different variants, spellings, and related surnames. One variant, spelled Reifenberger, is a German name. Reifenberger is a habitational name, derived from a location. It is derived from a variety of places, such as Reifenberg in the district of Chur in Switzerland, or other places located in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

In many migration records, variants of this name have also been recorded as Reifenburg, Reifengard, Reifgerst, ReiffenBerger, Reiffenberger, Reiffenburg, Reiffgerst, Reifgerst, Reifingard, Riefenberger, Riefenberg, Riefenburg, Riefgerst, and Riefingard. Related surnames of the same origin include Rife and Reif.

It is possible that Reifegerst was derived from the Old German word "rife" or "riff," which meant "edge" or "rim," as the original settlers may have lived on the rim of a village or on the edge of a forest. The word "gerst" is derived from the Old High German "gherst," which means "grain" or "barley." It is also possible that this name was derived from the Old High German "gerestera" or "gaster," meaning "guest," as the original settlers may have been an immigrant family.

In some cases, Reifegerst and its variants could also have derived from a personal name, such as Reifor Reiden. This name originated from the Old Germanic elements "hrab" meaning "glory" or "fame," and "hari, "army," or "host." This means that the ancestors of the Reifegerst family may have had a famous or renown army leader in their family history.

Altogether, Reifegerst is a name of Germanic origin that may have been derived from either a geographical or personal name. Its variants, spellings, and related surnames have spread to many places in Europe with some variants even crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.

Famous people with the name Reifegerst

• Captain William Reifegerst: In the American Civil War, Captain William Reifegerst was a member of the 101st Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting as Company K's first commander.
• Henry Reifegerst: Henry Reifegerst was an American glass artist and craftsman known for his unique style of blown glass.
• Konrad Reifegerst: Konrad Reifegerst was a German tenor and founder of the Reifegerst Trio, an ensemble of his family members who performed in vaudeville during the 19th century.
• Ernest Reifegerst: Ernest Reifegerst was an American harpist known for his prominent concert performances throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He also wrote the book “Harp Mastery”.
• Arthur Reifegerst: Arthur Reifegerst was one of the most recognizable pioneers of modern dance in Hamburg. He developed a style of ballet and jazz dance which was fashionable throughout the German republic’s golden era.
• Friedrich Reifegerst: Friedrich Reifegerst was a German composer of the Romantic period and is known for his works of the operetta genre. His most noteworthy pieces are “Ein Lied macht die Himmel tanzen” and “Der bunte Schmetterling”.
• Franz Reifegerst: Franz Reifegerst was a German painter and draughtsman known for his genre paintings and still lifes.
• Heinrich Reifegerst: Heinrich Reifegerst was a German violinist and composer of the Baroque period. He was noted for his oratorios and his celebrated “Duets for Violin”.
• Otto Reifegerst: Otto Reifegerst was a German chess player and journalist who edited the magazine Schach. During the 1920s and 1930s, he was one of the strongest players in Germany.
• Herman Reifegerst: Herman Reifegerst was an American vaudevillian who was a member of the Reifegerst Trio. He was a performer and writer who composed many songs including “The Singing Lady” and “Temptation Rag”.

Other surnames

Reifegerste