Surname Reyfmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reyfmann: What does the surname Reyfmann mean?
The last name Reyfmann is a German surname, with the literal translation of ‘Ravenman’. This surname was taken on by a variety of people from various places in Europe, and can be found in a few variations, such as Reyfman, Reyffman, Reifman, Reiffman, and Reifmann.
Historians believe that there were a variety of origins for the name, including one which states that the Reyfmann family were the descendants of a Raven-woman and her husband. This origin dates back to Medieval Europe, and due to the bird’s reputation as a symbol of wisdom, it could explain why the last name was taken on by seekers of knowledge.
The Reyfmann name has also been associated with Jewish history. In the 16th century, many of the Jews who lived in Europe adopted Germanic surnames, and it is believed that the Reyfmann name originated from this period. The Jewish interpretation of the name has been suggested as derivating from the Hebrew word ‘rafan’ which means ‘to heal’. After being persecuted during the Holocaust, many Jewish families took on new last names to escape persecution. Thus, the Reyfmann surname could be seen as a symbol of survival.
Regardless of its origin, the Reyfmann name has a long and influential history that has been spread throughout Europe and beyond. It is a testament to resilience and of overcoming suffering, and has become an integral part of many family histories.
Order DNA origin analysisReyfmann: Where does the name Reyfmann come from?
The last name Reyfmann is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is also found in Israel, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Reyfmann is a German-Jewish surname, first appearing in records around the early 16th century. It originated as a toponymic name, from a place in Germany called Reifman. This name is derived from the Middle High German words raif (mist) and mann (man). A large number of Jews from Germany were forced out of their homeland during the early 20th century; many of them ended up in Israel and Canada, and many of these families kept the last name Reyfmann.
In Germany, anyone who uses the surname Reyfmann might be related in some way to the original Reifman family. In addition, the name has been used as a patronymic name; that is, a family derived their name from the first name of the father. In the US, the surname Reyfmann is mostly found in the states of California, Florida, and New York, likely reflecting the patterns of Jewish immigration to the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, Reyfmann is a relatively uncommon name, but its presence in different parts of the world shows the interesting history behind its origin. It is a reminder of the long-standing Jewish presence in Europe and a testament to the journey of these families as they traveled far and wide over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Reyfmann
The Reyfmann surname is of German Yiddish origin. It is believed to have been first taken on by Jewish families in the Middle Ages who hailed from the area near the River Rhine in Germany.
The variants of the surname include Reyfman, Rieffman, Reifman, Raifman, Riebman, Reyfmann, Reifmann, Reiffman, Riepman, Reyfman, Reiff, Raif and Reffman. Spellings of Reyfmann are Reiffmann, Riepmann, Reifman and Reifmann.
The surname Reyfmann can also be found in other countries, including the United States, Belarus, Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Therefore, variants found in these countries might include Rayfman, Raiffman, Ruizman, Ridman, Reyfmanov, Rabinovich, Reifenmann, Rosenfeld and Reiffenbein.
It is also common in Germanic countries, including Austria and Switzerland, so additional variants found in those countries could include Rüffmann, Röfflin, Rifflin, Ryfflin, Riessmann, Reussmann and Riepenmann.
Overall, the Reyfmann surname can be found with a variety of different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin, although many of them are regional.
Famous people with the name Reyfmann
- Bernie Sanders: American politician and Senator from Vermont, also 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.
- Larry Reiffman: American businessman and real estate investor, formerly CEO of Metro Bank.
- Erwin Reyfmann: German Marxist theorist and philosopher, author of multiple books including Philosophy of Marx and Social Reality Theory.
- Johann Jakob Reiffmann: German mystic and theologian, known for his study of mysticism in the Christian world and its relationship with the occult.
- Curtis Reiffman: American photographer and gallery owner, known for his black-and-white landscapes.
- Joan Reyfmann: Swiss poet and non-fiction author, most known for her influential collection of poems “The Turning Point”.
- Jakob Reifmann: German expressionist artist, whose paintings are often categorized as Symbolist.
- Peter Reyfmann: German Expressionist composer, known for his works for stage, film and chamber music.
- Hans Reyfmann: Swiss/German physicist, known for his research on spectroscopy and optics.
- Julian Reiffmann: German composer and organist, famous for his works for the recorder, lute and violin.