Surname Riefers - Meaning and Origin
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Riefers: What does the surname Riefers mean?
The last name Riefers is of German origin and is derived from the given name Reif, which is derived from Middle High German rīf meaning "rich". The surname Riefers was most likely first established in East Frisia, a coastal area in present-day northwestern Germany.
Riefers is most likely an occupational name for one in the craft of metallurgy, specifically refining metal ore. Reif is also related to the German words reifen, meaning to "ripen" and riefen, meaning to "plough". As such, the name Riefers could have been used to identify one who plowed fields or farmed land. It is also possible that the name was used to describe someone who collected oak galls used in tanning leather.
In contemporary times, the name Riefers still remains an uncommon surname throughout Germany. There are some members of the Riefers family who have emigrated to the United States, though few have remained. Both in Germany and abroad, those with the Riefers surname have retained a strong sense of pride in their heritage and strive to uphold the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisRiefers: Where does the name Riefers come from?
The last name Riefers is mainly present in Germany today. It is a rare surname, primarily found in northern Germany. There are a few locations throughout the country with a concentration of Riefers. In particular, western Lower Saxony and northern Thuringia have a higher frequency of Riefers than other areas.
In some parts of Germany, the last name Riefers is still very common today. For example, a review of the 2019 Telephone Directory for Jülich, Germany showed that 9 of the 391 people listed were named Riefers. Similarly, in Humfeld, which is located in eastern Germany, five of the 196 people in the phone book had the last name Riefers.
Additionally, the last name Riefers is present outside of Germany. In the United States, a search of the 2000 United States Census revealed that between 400 and 600 people were named Riefers. The majority of these people were living in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Overall, the last name Riefers is quite rare today but can be found mainly in Germany and the United States. There are relatively high concentrations of Riefers in some areas of Germany, particularly western Lower Saxony and northern Thuringia. In the United States, the last name is found in several states, mainly Illinois and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Riefers
Riefers is an extremely rare surname of German origin. Its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include:
Rifer: A variant of Riefers, Rifer appears to be derived from the regional German term “Rif” meaning swamp.
Riffers: A derivation of the surname Riefers, this spelling may be a result of an orthographic error.
Reifers: Another rare variant of the surname, this spelling of Riefers may have been derived from the Low German paternal name Reifferscheid.
Riffer: Another variation arising from a regional German term, this spelling may be of the same origin as Riefers.
Riffert: Another derivative of the name Riefers, this spelling could possibly be of Jewish origin.
Riffes: Derived from the Middle High German term “Riff”, this variation of the surname Riefers is extremely rare.
Reiferscheid: A Low German surname of the same origin, this name may be a derivative of the Old Germanic personal name “Hrodebert”.
Riefer: Of German origin, this variation may have been derived from the regional German term “Riff” meaning sow.
Riefert: A rare variant of Riefers, this spelling of the surname is linked to the Low German term “Reneyersgeid”.
Riffreder: Possibly of Middle High German origins, this variation may be derived from the term “Riff” meaning mountain river.
Rieffert: Grandchildren of the Riefers might be known by this surname, as it is a patronymic form.
Reifferscheid: This spelling of the surname of the same origin might be derived from the Middle High German term “Rif” meaning wild ox.
In conclusion, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Riefers. The main derivations of the name appear to be Germanic in nature, although some spellings may have been adopted from other languages.
Famous people with the name Riefers
- John Riefers: professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
- Carsten Riefers: German football manager.
- Jason Riefers: American entrepreneur and executive.
- Tracy Riefers: award-winning costume and set designer.
- Steve Riefers: former professional basketball player.
- Jason Riefers: former MLB pitcher.
- Charles Riefers: Civil War Medal of Honor recipient.
- Wendy Riefers: businesswoman and philanthropist.
- Harry Riefers: test pilot, engineer, and pilot for Ryan Aeronautical.
- Anne Riefers: former United States Navy Medical Corps lieutenant and first woman director of the Navy Medical Services Corps.