Surname Riederer - Meaning and Origin

Riederer: What does the surname Riederer mean?

The last name Riederer is a German and Swiss surname. It is derived from the Middle High German words "riede" or "riter," meaning "rider" or "knight." This was a common surname among those who had a military background, as it hints at having a horseman's ability. It likely originated from those with the occupation of horse tamer or trainer, as well as referring to a noble family of knights.

The surname Riederer can also have an occupational origin. The roots of the name could be from the Old High German words "riute" or "riutar" which mean "rope-maker" or "twiner.” Those who worked with rope had a respected craft in those times.

The surname can also suggest the region where a family lived; for example, it could have derived from the combination with the Middle High German word "rut" meaning "cleared land”, suggesting a settler from such a region.

The name Riederer is not at all unusual and exists in most German and Swiss regions throughout Europe, and in the United States. Its various origins mean the name is rich in history. Those who have the name will likely have a lot of pride in their heritage, as the surname will pass down through generations.

Riederer: Where does the name Riederer come from?

The last name Riederer is an occupational name referring to the profession of “reed-cutter”. It can be found today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Holland. It is also common in some parts of the United States, primarily among the descendants of German immigrants.

In Germany, it is most commonly found in the state of Bavaria. The Bavarian region is renowned for its production of reeds and is a source of livelihood for many generations of Riederers. In Austria, the name can be found largely in the Tyrol region. It is also relatively common in Switzerland, where many Riederers originate from the canton of Valais.

In the United States, the name is found primarily in Pennsylvania, where many immigrants of German descent settled during the colonial period. In Pennsylvania Dutch country, the name Riederer is found in the counties of Berks, Lebanon, and Lancaster. In some parts of Pennsylvania, such as Berks county, the name Riederer is still incredibly common today.

So while the name Riederer is not a particularly widespread surname, it continues to be carried on by descendants of these 19th-century immigrants. The last name survives over 150 years later in the Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, and the United States, carrying with it a proud ancestor’s love of reeds and a dedication to their craft.

Variations of the surname Riederer

The surname Riederer has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Rieder is a frequent variant, but other spellings and surnames include Readerer, Rederer, Riderer, Riederer, Ritter, Riedle, Ryeder, Rader, Rider, Reder, Ridder and Redmer.

The variants of Riederer come from the Middle High German word “rīdi” meaning to ride or travel. So the surname would have originally been associated with knights, riders and mountaineers. It would also have been associated with craftsmen and merchants who transported goods or moved around for work.

The variants of Riederer appear in different areas and countries. In Germany, the variants are printable in Bavaria, Hesse, Middle Franconia and Upper Franconia. In Switzerland, the variants are common in the areas of Basel, Zurich and Bern. In Austria, the variants are seen in southern and western Austria.

The variant Rieder is also frequent in the United States. It is an Americanized variant of the original German or Swiss surname, and its variants are found in the states of Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan and California.

The variant Redmer is found mainly in Pennsylvania in the United States. It is a derivative of Riederer and its variants.

The variant Ritter is found mainly in Bavaria in Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word “ristman” which referred to a rider or warrior, and thus was associated with the Riederer surname.

There are many variants, spellings and surnames for the original Riederer due to its diverse origins and locations. Each variant is unique in its own way, and each one can be traced back to the original Riederer surname.

Famous people with the name Riederer

• Mark Riederer: American businessperson, publisher, and humanitarian who most recently served as Associate Publisher and VP of World Magazine.
• Gina Riederer: Swiss businesswoman and entrepreneur, most notably contributing to her family's Riederer Foundation.
• Chris Riederer: Egyptian-German travel photographer who has captured many pictures of Egyptian landmarks and landscapes.
• Thomas Riederer: Austrian violinist who has performed in various orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Europe.
• Stephen Riederer: American cardiovascular pharmacologist and biomedical researcher at Vanderbilt University.
• Joseph Riederer: American politician and member of the Ohio State Senate who is currently serving as its President.
• Susan Riederer: American Alpine skier, most notably competing in the Winter Olympics in 1984 and 1992.
• Robbie Riederer: Canadian ice hockey defenseman who has played in several leagues, most notably the NHL.
• Thomasina Riederer: Zambian-British fashion designer, best known for her fashion line, "This is Thomasina".
• Robert Riederer: Austrian contemporary artist who has exhibited his works in various galleries and fairs throughout the world.

Other surnames

Rieder