Surname Renneker - Meaning and Origin

Renneker: What does the surname Renneker mean?

The last name Renneker is of German origin and is derived from the German place name Raineken or Rennicken, which in turn is derived from the old Germanic word "renneke," meaning "hunter." It is most likely that the family name originated as an occupational surname, given to a person who was a professional hunter, often part of a noble household.

This occupation was necessary in the Middle Ages as wild game was an important source of food, and the services of a professional hunter were highly valued. Professional hunters were also expected to have a knowledge of plants, animals, and their habits, as well as a comprehensive understanding of nature.

The surname Renneker generally appears in records in its form of Renneker, however, in some cases it is shortened to Renek or even Renk, which is a diminutive of Renneker.

The Renneker family name is most prevalent in Germany, with some members of the family having migrated to the United States in the 17th century. The Renneker family line has since spread across various countries, with a focus on the United States and parts of Europe.

Renneker: Where does the name Renneker come from?

The last name Renneker is of German origin and according to the US Census of 2020, it is most commonly found in the US state of Wisconsin. In fact, about 215 families currently living in Wisconsin have the last name Renneker.

By comparison, other states in the US don’t have a large Renneker population. In 2000, about 86 Renneker families lived in Illinois and about 42 in Pennsylvania.In fact, only 9 Renneker families lived in California.

Outside the US, the last name Renneker has a small presence in Germany and other parts of Europe. In Canada, only 7 Renneker families were documented in the 2006 census.

Overall, the Renneker name is fairly rare and is not found in large numbers anywhere in the world. In the US, Wisconsin has the largest population of Renneker families by far.

Variations of the surname Renneker

The surname Renneker has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Rennekerv which is the Dutch version of the name. Other variants of Renneker include Reneker, Renniker, Rennaker, Rennaker, Rennicke, Renaeker, Renaik, Reneke, Renieke, Renoeker, and Renneke.

The Dutch spelling is especially popular due to the fact that its origin is closely linked to the German language. The original spelling of the name most likely originated in Germany and is most commonly Reneker from the Upper German Rhine region. It is also believed that some variants of the Renneker surname were derived from the Dutch Renaeken family name, which indicates that the family originated from the northern Dutch provinces of Friesland and Groningen.

In addition, there have been instances throughout history of the Renneker surname being recorded with variations, such as Rennacker, Rennicke, Rennecker, and Rinicke. This variation could be a result of the accents or dialects used by the family’s ancestors.

The surname Renneker has also appeared in records with various spellings such as Renecer, Rennicke, and Renneker. The surname has also been recorded under spelling variations Reinecke, Reiner, Reiners, Renaker, Renecke, and Reneker. These spellings could have resulted from dialects spoken by different ethnicities; for example, the Reinecke/Reiner spelling could have been derived from a Saxon dialect.

Lastly, it is believed that the Renneker surname is linked to many other surnames of German origin. Contacting other Rennekers and researching genealogy records could help to identify which of these surnames are related. Such surnames may include Rennels, Reidel, Rieseler, Reinert, Reineke, Reinhart, Reinhard, Reiniger, Reinhold, Reiter, and Rittershausen.

Famous people with the name Renneker

• Patrick Renneker: a German actor, director, and producer best known for his short films such as “The Heart Machine” and “My Little Life,” which both premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.
• David Renneker: a New York City-based photographer who has traveled the world taking stunning photographs of landscapes, architecture, people, and events.
• Bonnie Renneker: an American beauty queen, singer, and pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 2008.
• Francie Renneker: an accomplished jazz pianist, composer and arranger based in Seattle, Washington.
• Joe Renneker: a professional poker player, entrepreneur, and author based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Fredriko Renneker: a multi-talented campfire singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Tennessee.
• Jeremy Renneker: a professional surfer from Hawaii, known for his smooth, stylish style and board control.
• Richard Renneker: an American actor best known for his roles in TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and ER.
• Katie Renneker: a former model who has worked in the fashion industry for more than a decade and was a finalist on the reality show Project Runway.
• Bob Renneker: an award-winning celebrity photographer based in Los Angeles, California.

Other surnames

Renneke