Surname Rieforth - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rieforth: What does the surname Rieforth mean?
The surname Rieforth is a German name which can trace its roots back to the middle ages. It is derived from the German words “riede” and “forst” which together mean “forest clearing”. This likely refers to an area of land that was cleared of trees and used for farming or other purposes. The earliest documented bearer of the name is described as Ulricus de Rifford in 1175 AD.
The Rieforth name was likely borne by people who lived in a rural area that was surrounded by dense forests, for which the name was derived. It is believed that these people had a strong affinity with nature and would have practiced forestry to some extent, such as logging and clearing land. They would have had to possess a range of skills to survive in the harsh conditions of this environment, such as hunting, fishing, foraging, and farming.
Today, the Rieforth name is still associated with the forest, with many people of the name continuing to engage in forestry activities or related fields. The Rieforth name continues to represent a proud heritage of hard-working people who carved out a living in the face of challenging natural conditions.
Order DNA origin analysisRieforth: Where does the name Rieforth come from?
The last name Rieforth is most commonly found today in Germany. It is believed to be of German origin and arrived in Germany during the Middle Ages. The earliest known records of the family date back to the 16th century in Germany. By the 16th century, the family had spread throughout Germany and was one of the most common surnames in the area. As time progressed, members of the Rieforth family moved to other German-speaking countries and immigrated to the United States and other parts of the world.
Today, the name Rieforth is found in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. In the United States, the last name is most common in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland with higher percentages found in the Mid-Atlantic region and Ohio. There is also a significant presence of the last name in Canada, Australia, and South America.
Given its German origin and its commonality throughout the world today, it is clear that the Rieforth surname has maintained a strong presence for hundreds of years. It is likely that the name will continue to live on and expand into new countries as it has for many centuries.
Variations of the surname Rieforth
The surname Rieforth is of German origin and ismost commonly found throughout Germany, the United States, Canada, and England.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Riforth, Rieferth, Riefert, Riefer, Rief, Reifert, Reifarth, Reiffert, and Reiffarth.
Rieforth is derived from a personal name, the Germanic Riwald, which was composed of the elements “riwa” meaning “power,” and “wald” meaning “ruler.” The surname was originally used to denote someone who was "...a leader or strong man".
The ancient history of the Rieforth line can be traced back to the state of Saxony in Germany. During the Middle Ages, the name was used to refer to guildsmen, notable craftsmen, landowners who rent tracts of land from a feudal lord, and even members of a military unit.
Those bearing the Rieforth surname might also be related to the past rulers of the German duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg. This would include the ruling House of Guelph, which derived its name from Welf of Bavaria, who was the father of Otto I, Duke of Saxony and King of Germany.
The specific spelling of Rieforth first began to appear in records in the mid-13th century, when a “Riv lid of Brunswic” was mentioned in a document from 1256. This is the earliest known reference to the surname.
The Rieforths in England originated in Essex. In the early 19th century, a Henry Rieforth of Great Amwell was mentioned in the book, “The Visitation of the County of Essex in 1804”, giving some insight into the family’s background.
Today, members of the Rieforth family can still be found throughout Germany, the United States, Canada, and England, as well as other countries across the world.
Famous people with the name Rieforth
- Sierra Rieforth: American television writer and executive producer.
- Nathan Rieforth: American football fullback who played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s.
- Amy Rieforth: professional dancer, choreographer and actress based in Chicago, IL.
- Ashley Rieforth: professional equestrian and show-jumping champion.
- Amanda Rieforth: American record producer, songwriter, and singer.
- David Rieforth: American scientist known for his research into genetics.
- Heather Rieforth: former professional volleyball player from Wisconsin.
- Charles Rieforth: American neuroscientist and neurology professor at the University of Tennessee.
- Emily Rieforth: professional photographer and mountaineer.
- Alexander Rieforth: British-American actor and filmmaker.