Surname Reintgen - Meaning and Origin

Reintgen: What does the surname Reintgen mean?

The last name Reintgen is a German surname, and it has a variety of meanings. Reintgen literally translates to mean 'regal fox'. The word reint is derived from the German word regal, which is associated with kings and rulers. Gen means fox in German. This originates from the hunting practice of fox hunting or the language of Middle Low-German.

The name Reintgen is also associated with many branches of the aristocracy in Germany. It was a relatively common last name in many parts of the country, particularly in the Prussian area. The first known Reintgen was a knight, Hugo von Reintgen, who became a Count of Schwalenberg in 1250.

The Reintgen surname is also well known for its connection to the famous Reintgen family of physicians. This family includes Thomas Reintgen (1750-1792), a soldier and surgeon who served in several wars in Germany and France. His son, Dr. Friedrich Reintgen, was a renowned German surgeon and professor. Other members of the Reintgen family have gone on to be famous in the fields of medicine and natural sciences.

Overall, the name Reintgen represents a strong connection to the past, with its ties to nobility and the medical profession. It serves as a reminder of the importance of tradition and customs throughout German history.

Reintgen: Where does the name Reintgen come from?

The last name Reintgen is most prevalent today and is most common in Germany. According to World Names PublicProfiler, it is particularly concentrated in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it’s the 139th most popular surname. It’s also fairly widely found in the rest of the country with hundreds of people with the name in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse.

The Reintgen name is also found in other German and Swiss-German speaking countries, with smaller populations in Sayange, Belgium and South Tyrol, Italy.

In the United States, it’s most commonly found in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Although there are a large number of German-Americans in these states, the Reintgen surname doesn’t appear to be as prevalent here as in Germany itself.

In the UK, the Reintgen name is most commonly found in the south around the capital, London, with smaller numbers in the Midlands and the North.

A number of Reintgen descendants also live in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand though they are not as common as in Germany or the US.

Overall, the last name Reintgen is most commonly found in Germany but it is also found amongst people with German ancestry in other countries.

Variations of the surname Reintgen

Reintgen is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German words 'ragin' or 'regin', meaning 'intellegence', 'mind' or 'counsel'. Variants and spellings include Reingten, Reinentgen, Rayntgen, Reinigt, Reintjon, Reinig, Raintgen, Reintje, Reiniggen, Reinsgen, Reyntgen, Reigngten, Reintoge, Réyntgens and Räyntgen.

The Germanic origin of the surname, and its various spellings, have led to the creation of many additional surnames related to Reintgen. These include Reintjens, Reyngens, Reingans, Raingens, Renjes, Reintjens, Reynigens, Reyntjen, Reyntgens, Reinigens, Reinguent, Reinjens, Reninger, Reinsig, Raintjes, Riegent, Reininger, Reinganz, and Reiniger.

The earliest known record of the surname dates back to the 15th-century parish records of western Germany, where a Landricus Reintgen was recorded in Cologne, in 1456. Several other records can be found in the 16th - 18th centuries, in both Germany and Low Countries.

The surname is still common in Germany today; however, many generations of the family have moved to other countries around the world and the original spelling has been adapted as per local dialects. For example, the Reintgen surname is recorded as Reintgen in Germany, Reintjes in the Netherlands, Reyngen in Sweden and Reinjes in Belgium.

Famous people with the name Reintgen

• John H. Reintgen (1927-1996): physicist and professor at NYU who conducted many pioneering studies on semiconductor physics, including contributions to the development of the laser.
• Louis Reintgen (1888-1970): organic chemist who worked at DuPont and is known for his works in the synthesis of basic compounds in organic chemistry.
• Donald Reintgen (1921-2007): American conductor, musicologist, and composer who served as faculty professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a longtime choral director at Stanford University.
• James H. Reintgen (1922-1996): professor of neurosurgery and radiation oncology at Duke University, known as the “Father of modern radiation oncology”.
• Jill Reintgen (1962-present): intramural and coaching lecturer at Ohio University, specializing in physical education and exercise science.
• Mary Reintgen (1948-present): American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, notable for serving as a CEO and advisor to various companies.
• Matthew Reintgen (1984-present): American actor best known for his roles in the TV shows Law & Order: SVU and Fringe.
• Deborah Reintgen (1953-present): American linguist, professor of English at the University of Reading, and author of several books on linguistics and English literature.
• John F. Reintgen Jr. (1907-1942): American medical doctor and Pearl Harbor survivor who is one of the few men to receive the Purple Heart medal twice for his service in WW II.
• Jasper Reintgen (1948-present): retired artist and lecturer, focused on minimalism and abstract art in painting and sculpture.

Other surnames

ReintgensReintges