Surname Rettmer - Meaning and Origin

Rettmer: What does the surname Rettmer mean?

The last name Rettmer is of German origin and is derived from the personal name “Retemar”, which is a combination of two Middle High German words: "reten" meaning "to advise" and "mar" meaning "famous”. The name can be found as early as 1232 in the Silesian region of Germany.

This surname is an occupational name and is thought to be linked to one of the nobles, counts, and knights of the region in which the earliest recorded family of the surname was based. It was most likely used as a title of nobility in those days, and was likely given to a leader of a castle or estate.

The spelling of the surname evolved over time, gradually settling into what it is today, Rettmer. The Rettmer family is found primarily in eastern Germanic speaking regions, with the majority of family members belonging to the Protestant faith.

Today, the surname Rettmer is still fairly common in Germany, with families living in most German states. In the United States, it is found mainly in the states of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois.

Overall, the surname Rettmer has a long, varied history behind it. It was likely first used as a title of nobility, but more recently, it has evolved into a surname found among both German and American families today. Its long history is a testament to its staying power and makes it an interesting name to trace down and explore its etymology.

Rettmer: Where does the name Rettmer come from?

The last name Rettmer is most commonly seen today in Germany, the Netherlands, and throughout North America. It is thought to have its origins in Germany, with Rettmer Marburg being an area originally named for an early bearers of the name.

This surname is believed to derive from a Rett, which was a German word that once described a person who managed the lands that belonged to a noble family. The 'er' attached is the German letter 'ä' which was used to denote a person who worked in that field or occupation.

In the US, the Rettmer surname can most commonly be found in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. It is estimated that there are currently around 6,200 people bearing the Rettmer surname in the United States, with the majority of them residing in the Midwest.

Rettmer can also be found in various other countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, the Philippines, and parts of Latin America.

Overall, the Rettmer last name is still relatively common today and is still present in many countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Rettmer

Rettmer is a German originally Slavic name, deriving from the Old German name Redumar. This name is recorded in old church records as early as the 11th century and appears most commonly in Rottweil, on the banks of the Neckar River in Baden-Württemberg. Variants of this surname include Rotram, Regulations, Rethmér, Ratamer, Retramer, Reimert, Röteramar, RetMar, Ratmar, Röttersamer, Reetmer, Rohtranmar, and Redemer.

Spellings of this surname include Retamer, Ratamer, Ratmeer, Redamer, Rietamer, Rittermer, Rütemer,Retemar, Reitemer, Rettemar, Rodtemer, and Retammar.

Surnames related to Rettmer include Redemar, Ratamer, Reutmacher, Retter, Reitter, Reumacher, Rhinheimer, Reuther, Reutter, Rohtemer, Rethemier, and Rodtemer.

Rettmer is an uncommon name. However, it is still found widely throughout Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As a result, variants and related surnames of Rettmer are also found in countries such as Poland, Russia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.

Famous people with the name Rettmer

• Darren Rettmer: Founder and CEO of Rapitag Solutions.
• Chris Rettmer: Actor and Producer, known for Send Me an Angel (1990)
• Gregg Rettmer: Former Major League Baseball player for the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals.
• Emma Rettmer: Professional dancer and choreographer.
• Matt Rettmer: Professional snowboarder, competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
• Michael Rettmer: Professional poker and backgammon player.
• Stephen Rettmer: TV reporter and former NFL player.
• William Rettmer: Creator and lead writer for the TV series, Prison Break.
• Alexander Rettmer: Graphic designer and illustrator.
• Armin Rettmer: German cinematographer, producer and director.

Other surnames

Rettmar