Surname Rath - Meaning and Origin
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S. Rath
read moreRath: What does the surname Rath mean?
The last name Rath is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "rat" which means "counsel" or "advice". This surname was often used as an occupational name for a counselor or adviser. Thus, it was likely bestowed upon individuals known for giving good advice or who held a position where providing counsel was a primary duty. It's also possible that the surname came from a place named Rath. The name is prevalent in Germany and is also found among people of Irish descent.
Order DNA origin analysisRath: Where does the name Rath come from?
The surname Rath is of German origin. In the German language, Rath means "counsel" or "advice", and it was often used for individuals who served in an advisory or counsel role, such as that of a councillor or an aide. Further, it may also derive from 'Rathaus', meaning 'town hall', suggesting that the original bearers of this name could be town or city officials. It can also be a toponymic surname representing individuals from various places called Rath in Germany and Austria.
Today, the surname Rath is most common in Germany, particularly in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. It can also be found in Austria and Switzerland. Outside of Europe, due to historical emigration patterns, it might be found among descendants in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world where Germanic immigrants settled. However, it is still significantly less common than other German-origin surnames. Despite its German roots, Rath is also a common surname among the Odia-speaking population in India, used by Brahmins in Odisha, suggesting differential origins and meanings in different contexts.
Variations of the surname Rath
The surname Rath can be attributed to Irish, German and Indian roots. In German, Rath means "counsel" or "advice", and it was often assigned to town counsellers or advisors. From German origin, variants include Raths, Ratz, Raht, Ratt, Rathe, or Rahts.
In Irish, Rath refers to "a circular earthen fort", often used as a surname for families living near such a fort. Variants from the Irish root include Raith, Raitt, and the anglicized form, Wright.
The surname Rath is found in the Indian state of Odisha as well, it is spelt as Rath or Ratha and is used by Utkala Brahmins. In India, Rath is also used by the Rajput community of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Variants can include Rathore or Rathi, which are more commonly used in India.
It's also worth noting that spelling variations for all surnames, including Rath, became more common as literacy increased and different scribes recorded names according to their own phonetic interpretations. Therefore, the Rath surname might also have many spelling variations not listed here.
Famous people with the name Rath
1.Josephine Rath: Former German figure skater and coach. 2.Cecile Rath: American singer-songwriter, composer and journalist. 3.Lee Rath: Canadian actor, director and producer. 4.Mischa Rath: German-born wrestler and mixed martial artist. 5.Ted Rath: American football coach and former player. 6.Reshmi Rath: Indian actress and model. 7.Rohit Rath: Indian actor and model. 8.Sara Rath: Danish singer, dancer and actress. 9.Matthew Rath: German footballer. 10.Nina Rath: Canadian-American singer-songwriter and concert pianist.