Surname Reißenweber - Meaning and Origin
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Reißenweber: What does the surname Reißenweber mean?
Reißenweber is a German surname meaning "Razor Weaver". It originates from the Middle High German words "raper" or "riezer", meaning razor, and "weber", meaning weaver or wicker. This last name likely first appeared in areas where wicker or basket making was a common craft, and where craftspeople used razor-edged tools to construct their creations.
Historically, most families with the Reißenweber surname came from areas of Germany such as the Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. The area of origin usually determined the profession of its members, as with most early German last names. In some cases, the inhabitants were farmers or vintners, but in other cases the occupation most associated with the Reißenwebers was that of a wicker maker. As such, records have been found which suggest that the Reißenwebers were indeed involved in the production of goods made from willow tree branches or other vegetation, such as baskets and chairs.
The connection to the craft of wicker making may also be seen in the arms of Reißenwebers – the arms are based on designs which feature a razor in the center surrounded by wicker weave patterns. As such, the last name Reißenweber allows us to look back to a time where craftsmanship was a highly valued skill and deserving of recognition and remembrance.
Order DNA origin analysisReißenweber: Where does the name Reißenweber come from?
The last name Reißenweber is most commonly found in Germany. This is a German name derived from the Germanic term "Reien," meaning rider or soldier, and "Weber," meaning weaver. In 2013, the name was present in 196 independent municipalities of Germany, with the largest concentration being in the region of Rhineland-Palatinate.
In general, the name appears to be more common in western Germany, with less common occurrences in eastern Germany. Records as far back as 1730 have also shown the family name to be present in the area surrounding Lake Constance and the Upper Rhine valley region.
There are also a few variants and spellings of the name such as Reissenweber, Reissenberger and Reisenweber, Reysenweber and Reyßenweber.
In addition to Germany, the name is also found in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States. In the United States, Reißenweber families can be found in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey, California and Texas.
In today's modern world, the name is still commonly found throughout Germany, as well as in the other countries where it's present.
Variations of the surname Reißenweber
Reißenweber is a popular German surname derived from the Middle High German term reissenwerber. The spelling of this surname is thus the same throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries - Reißenweber. Depending on the region in which it is found, it is also occasionally found as Reissenweber or Reisenweber. As far as surnames of related origin and spelling, variants such as Reisenberger, Reiser and Reisener have also been recorded.
The alternative spelling Reissenweber may be used in the western regions of Germany where a more-often used pronunciation of the surname is more likely to be used. This kind of variant spelling was habitually used in Germany, since the language, and hence the spelling of surnames, differs slightly from region to region.
Reisener is another variant of the surname Reißenweber and is recorded in numerous documents from the Rhineland region. Such variants are typically based on the dialectical differences between the neighbouring regions in which a common surname is found.
The other related surnames, Reisenberger and Reiser, are more likely to be Dutch- or Swiss-German in origin, and may have been adopted by the Reissenweber family during migration from one area to another. In this case there may be some connection to the actual origin of the family, rather than simply a spelling or dialectical difference.
Finally, the surname Reißenweber may also have been adopted more recently by families with a non-Germanic background. Many immigrants adopted German surnames during the 19th century as a way of fitting in to their new country, and this could account for occasional sightings of the Reißenweber surname in countries such as the United States or Australia.
Famous people with the name Reißenweber
- Karin Reißenweber, German organist and composer
- Gerhard Reißenweber, German sculptor
- Sven Reißenweber, German handball coach
- Erwin Reißenweber, German court painter
- Magdalena Reißenweber, German legal scholar
- Wolfgang Reißenweber, German football manager
- Peter Reißenweber, German guitar maker
- Cem Reißenweber, German songwriter
- Erich Reißenweber, German alpine skier
- Gertrud Reißenweber, German film and television actress
- Mustafa Reißenweber, German doctor and ex-MP
- Julius Reißenweber, German classical philologist
- Matthias Reißenweber, German curator and graphic designer
- Ursula Reißenweber, German biologist
- Bianca Reißenweber, German cyclist
- Tomas Reißenweber, German chess grandmaster
- Ulf Reißenweber, German historian
- Horst Reißenweber, German teacher and author
- Alexander Reißenweber, German composer and musicologist
- Michael Reißenweber, German TV presenter and actor