Surname Rehfuss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rehfuss: What does the surname Rehfuss mean?
The last name Rehfuss is of German origin and is thought to have first appeared between the 15th and 16th centuries. It may have derived from the Middle High German word "rafe", meaning "counselor". It is thought to be a locational surname, referring to the family's former place of residence, but this has yet to be definitively proven.
The name Rehfuss is found throughout Germany, where records from the 16th century indicate members of the Rehfuss family living in the region. During this time, the family was found predominantly in Bavaria and in some northern regions of Switzerland.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, members of the Rehfuss family traveled to the United States and to Canada, particularly to towns such as St. Louis, Missouri and Watertown, Wisconsin.
Today, the name Rehfuss is spread throughout Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia and many other countries. Members of the Rehfuss family are found in diverse professions, from medical doctors to writers and architects. Often described as intellectuals, Rehfusses are known for their openness, intelligence and creativity.
Order DNA origin analysisRehfuss: Where does the name Rehfuss come from?
The last name Rehfuss is most commonly found in the regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The surname appears to be of German origin, which is why it is so prevalent in those Germanic countries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Rehfuss surname was the 13th most common surname in Germany, and this popularity has only increased in the ensuing centuries.
In Switzerland, Rehfuss is a fairly common surname in both German-speaking and French-speaking regions and, according to the 2000 census, it was the 122nd most frequent Swiss family name. In Austria, Rehfuss is also a fairly common last name, and it is particularly popular in the regions of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
The Rehfuss surname is also found in the United States. It is especially common in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The estimated population of people with the last name "Rehfuss" in the United States is almost 15,000, and many of these people are descendants of German immigrants who came to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, the surname Rehfuss is most common in the German-speaking countries of Europe, but it can still be found in several other countries around the world, including the United States.
Variations of the surname Rehfuss
The surname Rehfuss is derived from a German word meaning ‘rector’. This could refer to various roles, such as a schoolmaster, a pastor, or even a village leader. It is also the second element of several compound surnames such as Rehfuss-Berger, Rhefuss-Bergrin, Rehfus-Bonser, and Rehfuss-von Oberbaum.
The variants of this surname are numerous, as it has been altered in various ways, both phonetically and in terms of spelling, across different countries and languages. Depending on the country, the surname might be spelled as Rehfuss, Rehfus, Rehfuss, Reifuss, Reifus, Reufuss, Reufus, or Reuffuss.
In Germany, many people with the surname variations Rehfuß, Rehfuss and Reifuss can be found in Bavaria and Prussia. The same variations can also be found in Switzerland and Austria.
In addition to these spellings, there are also surnames believed to be of the same origin. While not spelled identically, they are phonetically similar, such as Rafuss, Rufus, Rufo, and Ruphus. In the United States, Rafuse and Rehfeld are two variants of the same surname, as they are both phonetically similar to Rehfuss.
The spelling of the surname has also changed over time, and the Rehfuss surname is believed to have eventually evolved from the original surname Rafuss. This variation of the surname can be found in Bavaria, Prussia, and Switzerland.
In addition to surname variations, the Rehfuss surname has also been altered according to patronymic naming conventions. Examples of patronymic surnames derived from Rehfuss are Rehfusser, Rehfussmann, Rehfusserin, Rehfussweiler, and Rehfussner.
Famous people with the name Rehfuss
- Joe Rehfuss: a movie actor, best known for his role as Doubliot in 2010's Prometheus.
- Alfred Rehfuss: a German politician and lawyer, he served as State Minister of Justice in the cabinet of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer from 1954 to 1957.
- Bill Rehfuss: the former Chief Executive Officer of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, a prominent New York law firm.
- Paul Rehfuss: a German engineer and member of the Nazi party, he designed the chassis for several of Hitler's Blitzkrieg tanks.
- Inge Rehfuss: a professional tennis player who was active on the international circuit for nearly a decade in the mid-20th century.
- Andrew Rehfuss: a San Francisco-based artist, he produces works that capture the energy and chaotic nature of the modern world.
- Nicole Rehfuss: a Broadway actress, she co-starred alongside Ben Vereen in the production of "My Fair Lady" in the late 1980s.
- Michael Rehfuss: a retired three-star Army general, he served as the commander of the U.S. Army’s Forces Command from 2010 to 2012.
- Richard Rehfuss: a renowned Swiss composer, best known for his operas "Leonardo Da Vinci" and "Motör Heaven".
- Sarah Rehfuss: a German-born photographer, she is well-known for her stunning portraits of celebrities and Hollywood stars.