Surname Rex - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rex: What does the surname Rex mean?
The last name Rex is a common surname with many different origins and meanings. According to some sources, it is derived from the Latin word rex, meaning “king.” This could have been due to a royal connection in an ancestor’s past. It could also have simply been an honorary title adopted by members of the community.
In Old German, Rex means “eager” or “strong,” which could have been passed on as a nickname or label for an ancestor who showed fortitude and determination. It could have also been an occupational surname derived from the Old German word “rechen,” meaning “to tally.”
The surname Rex is also derived from Old French and has a more obvious meaning, as it comes from the word “rexane” or “rascaut,” meaning “to comb.” Thus, the surname could have been granted to a member of the community who had an important role related to combing and grooming textiles and fibers.
In both England and Ireland, the surname Rex is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an Old English name composed of the elements rex, which means “king” and hric, which means “wood.” This indicates that it could have been linked to someone who lived in a wooded area or near a meeting place of kings.
In the end, the last name Rex is a multi-cultural identity that has been passed on across generations. It could have been influenced by any number of contexts and symbols, varying from country to country and depending on its location and origins.
Order DNA origin analysisRex: Where does the name Rex come from?
The last name Rex is commonly found in Germany. In fact, it’s one of the most prevalent family names in the country. According to a 2011 study, over 73,000 people living in Germany have the last name Rex. This means that it’s the 16th most popular last name in the country.
The surname Rex is also common in Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland. In Hungary, it’s the 128th most popular last name and in Austria, it’s the 591st most popular. In Switzerland, it’s the 418th most popular last name of those living in the country.
It’s also quite popular in the United States. According to the US census of 2000, the surname Rex was the 1,734th most common last name in the country. However, this ranking could have changed significantly since then as the Rex population has grown exponentially in the US.
The Rex surname can also be found in small numbers in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, among other countries. Additionally, it is also found among some ethnic minorities, such as the Basques and Hispanics, with as many as 0.7% of Basque and 0.2% of Hispanic people possessing this surname.
Overall, the last name Rex is very widespread and can be found in numerous countries around the world, as well as among minority populations.
Variations of the surname Rex
The surname Rex is derived from the Latin word ‘rex’ which means king. The surname is thought to have originated from Germanic and French origins and has numerous variants, spellings and surnames from the same origin.
The variants of Rex include Rexx, Rexxes and Rexxon. The French spelling is De-Réx or Ruex.
Surnames with similar origin as Rex include:
Raecker or Raeker – German surname for a ‘kingly ruler’.
Reich – German surname derived from the Middle High German word for ‘king’.
Rey – Spanish surname derived from rey meaning ‘king’
Reymer or Reimann – German form of ‘kingly person’.
Reigert – derived from Middle High German language ‘reigion’, meaning ‘kingly rule’.
Regal – Latin surname meaning ‘kingly’.
Ries – German surname for ‘king’.
Rigg – English surname derived from Middle English word for ‘king’.
Rígán – Irish surname derived from Rí meaning ‘king’.
Riccardo – Italian version of ‘king’ derived from Latin origin.
Reyk – Dutch surname derived from Middle Low German origin meaning ‘king’.
Reisman – German origin of the word ‘kingly person’.
Riba – Portuguese surname derived from Latin origin ‘rex’ for ‘king’.
Rix and Reichs – German surnames derived from the Middle High German word for ‘king’.
Ruprecht – German surname derived from Old High German origin - equivalent to the English Robert, meaning ‘bright fame, bright king’.
The list above is by no means a comprehensive list of all the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Rex, but it serves to provide deeper insight into the multiple names with a common origin.
Famous people with the name Rex
- Rex Harrison:Rex Harrison, (1908–1990) was an English actor of stage and screen. His career spanned several decades with his stage and screen career spanning nearly sixty years. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1966 for his performance in the film My Fair Lady.
- Rex Smith: Rex Smith (born Rex Elwin Smith, September 19, 1955) is an American actor and singer, who first gained fame as a teen idol in the late 1970s. He was featured in teen-oriented magazine stories, and several of his singles became Top 40 hits.
- Rex Tillerson: Rex Wayne Tillerson (born March 23, 1952) is an American energy executive and former United States Secretary of State serving in the administration of President Donald Trump from February 1, 2017 to March 13, 2018.
- Rex Allen: Rex Elvie Allen (December 31, 1920: December 17, 1999) was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter, known as the "AZ Cowboy" and as the narrator in many Disney nature and Western films.
- Rex Gildo: Rex Gildo (May 2, 1939–August 26, 1999) was a German Schlager singer, most famous for his Rococo-inspired melodies and romantic lyrics. He recorded many hits between the 1960s and the 1980s, eventually becoming "Germany's most successful Schlager singer" at the peak of his career.
- Rex Stout: Rex Todhunter Stout (December 1, 1886: October 27, 1975) was an American mystery writer most famous for his two popular detective characters, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. His corpus of work includes nearly 70 novels and short stories.
- Rex Bell: Lorenzo Rex Bell (August 13, 1903: July 4, 1962) was an American actor and politician who served as the 21st Governor of Nevada from December 9, 1951 to January 4, 1955. Bell was one of the most popular Western stars of the 1920s, best known for his appearances in films such as The Red Raiders.
- Rex Johnson Jr.: Rex David Johnson Jr., commonly known as Rex Johnson, (born June 15, 1947) is an American politician and businessman. He is best known for his service as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. Johnson was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 2010.