Surname Rau - Meaning and Origin
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The Unravelled Rau Lineage: A DNA Test's Seminal Contributions To My Self-Understanding
In a fascinating journey of self-realization through iGENEA's DNA testing, I voyaged into my family past, particularly my Rau lineage. The unexpected revelations and deep insights transformed my sense of self and deepened my understanding of my roots. An enlightening experience on the whole.
E. Rau
read moreRau: What does the surname Rau mean?
The surname Rau is of German origin and has several possible meanings based on old German words. One of the common interpretations is that it comes from "rauh" or "rau," meaning "rough" or "hairy." Thus, it could have originally been used as a nickname for someone with a rough or brusque personality or someone with a particularly hairy face or physique.
Alternatively, Rau might be derived from a topographic name for someone who lived by a bush or scrub, from the Middle High German term "rō," meaning "bush." It could also originate from the term "rauhe," which means "clearing." In this regard, it would refer to a person living in or near a cleared space in a woodland.
However, it's important to note that surname meanings can vary as they might have evolved differently in different regions and families. Thus, the exact meaning could differ based on individual family history and geographical location.
Order DNA origin analysisRau: Where does the name Rau come from?
The last name Rau is common across many parts of the world today, although its prevalence and migration routes have shifted over time. It originated in Germany, where it remains fairly common today, and is most concentrated in the states of Hessen, Baden-Württemburg, and Bavaria. It can also be found in Austria, where it is one of the top 100 surnames according to a survey conducted in 2019, as well as Switzerland, though its prevalence is much lower here.
Outside of Germany-speaking regions, the Rau surname has also been adopted by families in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, France, and Sweden. It can also be found in Scandinavian and Baltic countries such as Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. In Europe, Rau is generally considered to be of German origin.
The Rau surname can also be found outside of Europe, particularly in western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Way back in the 1800s, some Rau families arrived in the United States from Europe, and the name is most prominently found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan today. It should be noted that the spelling of the Rau surname can vary by region, with 'Raw', 'Roh', 'Roeh', and 'Rough' all being derived from Rau.
Variations of the surname Rau
The surname Rau is a German and Ashkenazi Jewish surname which can have several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants in Germany include Rauer, Rauh, Rauer, Raue, and Rau. Other lesser-seen variants may include Raw, Roh, Rao, Roux, Row, Polly, and Roos.
The Hebrew surname is also spelled ראוּ. In Yiddish it is spelled ראָ as well as the pronunciation ‘Rou.’ Some of the surnames found in Eastern Europe that originate from Rau include Ryor, Reor, Roz, and Rybak.
In the Netherlands, the surname can take on several variants such as de Rau, de Rauw, de Rauff, de Raaij, and Verraauw.
In Britain the surnames Rau, Rauch, Rouke, and Rawes all originate from the same surname. In France variants would include de Raous, de Rau, de Raulx, de Raux, de Rao, and de Rault. In Spain similar surnames of the same origin are found such as Raujo, Ruano, Ruiz, Ruiz de Lara, Roca, and Roca Alsina.
In Scandinavia, similar surnames would include de Rauh, Raud, Rands, Randsgaard, Raaschou, and Rask.
In the United States, immigrants seeking the American Dream often Americanized their names so it would be easier to pronounce. Variations such as Rows, Raw, Rowe, Raugh, Rauth, Rhow, and Rauen could all be found.
Alternative spellings can also occur, such as Rhau, Rayau, Rayu, Rayou, Raou, Rajou, and Raho. The spelling may also vary for other languages such as Ràó, Réou, Reau, and Riau depending on local dialects.
Famous people with the name Rau
- David Rau: is an artist and sculptor from San Francisco who works with various mediums like wood, metal, and plastic.
- Dirk Rau: is a Dutch art historian and artist. He is most notably known for exploring themes relating to historiography and deconstructionism.
- Eddie Rau: is a professional wrestler and MMA fighter who is best known for competing in the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
- Eric Rau: is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has released several albums and recently collaborated with Imogen Heap on her acclaimed album, “Mycelia”.
- Inge Rau: is a German fashion designer who is best known for her work with designers like Tom Ford, Jil Sander, and Marc Jacobs.
- Minnie Rau: is an Austrian fashion designer and former editor-in-chief of the magazine “Vogue” Germany.
- Robert Rau: is an American film producer and director who has worked on several high-profile projects such as “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”.
- Matthias Rau: is a German actor best known for his performances in the films “The Reader” and “Home Sweet Home”.
- Pamela Rau: is an American fashion designer who is most known for her work with brands like Marc Jacobs and Gucci.
- Werner Rau: is a German sportsman who won a gold medal for sprinting at the 1996 Summer Olympics.