Surname Rekemeier - Meaning and Origin
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Rekemeier: What does the surname Rekemeier mean?
The last name Rekemeier is a German name. It is believed to have originated in Westphalia, a historical region in Germany. The word Reke means ‘rake’, and meier simply means ‘farmer’, so it is thought that the name was originally given to someone who dealt with farm equipment or worked with a rake.
The surname Rekemeier can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and also in the United States among people with German ancestry. It appears that many of the holders of this name in the United States kept the original spelling, indicating that they likely all descended from one of the first German Rekemeiers to settle in America many generations ago.
The name Rekemeier is fairly uncommon, so those with the surname likely have a deep connection to its roots in Germany. It was likely passed down through many generations, and may still be the name of families with strong ties to Westphalia.
Though it is uncommon, the last name Rekemeier carries with it the legacy of a farming heritage. As a testament to the past, it is likely held with some pride by those descended from the first Rekemeiers.
Order DNA origin analysisRekemeier: Where does the name Rekemeier come from?
The last name Rekemeier is most commonly found in western European countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Most of the people with this name are of Germanic descent. Germany is the most likely origin of the surname, as it is one of the most common surnames there. It is also quite common in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It is also found in parts of the U.S. where there are many German and German-American immigrants.
In German, the meaning of the name Rekemeier is related to one living or working near a reed meadow, indicating perhaps an area of marshland of some kind. This type of land is found in many parts of Europe, but especially in Germany, indicating how the surname may have originated there.
The name is also common among some Mennonite families in the U.S. who trace their ancestry to Germany. Mennonite families began settling in North and South America in the 16th century and brought with them the surname Rekemeier.
In Germany, the surname is especially common in Schleswig-Holstein and Northern Germany. The highest concentrations of the surname are found in the U.S. in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. Other U.S. states where the surname is found include Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New York.
In the 21st century, the surname Rekemeier remains a common one in western European countries, especially in Germany, and has spread to the U.S. and other parts of the world with German immigration.
Variations of the surname Rekemeier
The surname Rekemeier is derived from a habitational name, a name given to a person from a place and typically named after a geographic feature near the place. In this case, the Rekemeier family name likely refers to someone coming from the residential buildings Rekemeyers located in Westphalia in Germany near the Ems river.
Variants of the Rekemeier surname include Rekemeyers, Rekemejer, Rekemeier, and Rekemeyer. All of these variants are derived from the last name Rekemeier and sound quite similar, depending on the language spoken. For example, the phonetic spelling of the German pronunciation would be Rekemeyers.
Variants of the Rekemeier surname also exist that are based on the geographic location. For example, the name Rekensen comes from the area near the Ems river, which might explain why an ancestor of the Rekemeier family could have come from the area. Similarly, the name Reckenen can also be derived from the same location.
Other surnames similarly derived from the same Westphalia location, include Recken, Reckers, Reckersberg, and Reckerschool. All of these surnames are derived from the Ems river and likely indicate the presence of an ancestral connection with the Rekemeier family.
In conclusion, the Rekemeier surname and its various variants are derived from a habitational name typical of German origin. Variants of the name include Rekemeyers, Rekemejer, Rekemeier, Rekemeyer, Rekensen, Reckenen, Recken, Reckers, Reckersberg and Reckerschool. All of these variants are derived from the same geographical location near the Ems river in Westphalia in Germany. Additionally, these variants all indicate the presence of an ancestral connection with the Rekemeier family.
Famous people with the name Rekemeier
- Dr. Fritz Rekemeier: renowned German surgeon and university professor.
- Lorenzo Rekemeier: German professional footballer.
- Heidi Rekemeier: American figure skater who competed in three Winter Olympic Games.
- Max Rekemeier: German actor and film director.
- Steve Rekemeier: American art director on films such as The Addams Family, Casper, and Anastasia.
- Mike Rekemeier: American state representative from Nebraska.
- Lawrence Rekemeier: American World War II Medal of Honor recipient for action in Italy.
- Orville Rekemeier: American NFL football player for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.
- Mikayla Rekemeier: British actress best known for her roles in television series such as Midsomer Murders and Cold Feet.
- Tim Rekemeier: American award-winning country rock musician.