Surname Rettig - Meaning and Origin

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R. Rettig

Rettig: What does the surname Rettig mean?

The last name Rettig is of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "rezzec," which means "counselor" or "adviser". Thus, Rettig can be considered to mean one who gives counsel or advice. This could possibly imply that the ancestors who bore this surname were respected advisers or counselors in their community. Unsurprisingly, many German surnames carry vocational or occupational meanings, as they were often given based on the kind of work an individual did. It’s also worth noting that name meanings can sometimes vary based on regional dialects and evolution of language over centuries. Hence, this interpretation might not be the only possible meaning for the surname Rettig.

Rettig: Where does the name Rettig come from?

The last name Rettig is most common today in Germany, Austria, Swiss, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. According to recent statistics, the surname is ranked 2,072 as far as popularity goes within the United States, but it is more widely recognized in Europe.

In Germany, it is particularly common in the areas around Berlin and Munich. According to the region’s name databases, the name Rettig has been used for at least 500 years in some parts of Germany. It is also commonly found in the Erzgebirge and the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic.

Rettig is not an overwhelmingly common name, but its current presence in Europe is substantial. Chances are, if you are looking for someone with the name Rettig, you could find them in one of the regions listed above.

Variations of the surname Rettig

The surname Rettig has a variety of words, spellings, and names that are rooted from the same origin. Variations of the surname Rettig include Rettig, Retting, Rettinger, Rettyng, Rettigh, Retadiq, and Rettic.

The German etymological origin of the Rettig surname, "rottig," is similar to the German word "rotten," which means ugly, wasted, or damaged. This root refers to "rotten meadow," a landscape term used to describe a boggy, marshy area. This could suggest that the ancestors of the Rettig family lived by or near marsh or swamp.

The surname Retting is derived from the same base as Rettig and is likely derived from the old German verb "retten," which can mean "to save." The surname Rettinger is of German origin, and it can be derived from the word "retten," as well as a diminutive form of the name "Hering," a German name which, incidentally, is related to the English surname "Herring."

The words Rettyng and Rettigh are probably derived from the same root as the surnames previously described, and could come from a variant or diminutive form of the etymological base of the Rettig surname.

Lastly, the word Rettic is derived from a maiden name, which could have been used as a substitute surname by daughters of the Rettig family.

Famous people with the name Rettig

• Lenny Rettig: Swiss diver and current Swiss record holder in the one and three meter springboard competitions.
• Jeffrey Alan Rettig: Founding member of the DC-based Human Rights Initiative.
• Jay Rettig: American actor and stuntman whose career spans over 40 years.
• Ryan Rettig: Former collegiate American football player who played Wide Receiver for Texas State University.
• Michael Rettig: Former President of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Major League Soccer.
• Robert Rettig: Musician and former member of the rock/pop group McBride & the Ride.
• Brigitte Rettig: French classical singer.
• Brian Rettig: Former Chief Executive Officer of United Technologies Corporation.
• Christopher Rettig: Software engineer and Scientist in Residence at the Mozilla Corporation.
• Bill Rettig: Vice President of Sales and Distribution for the National Hockey League.
• Sarah Rettig: Award-winning documentary filmmaker and cinematographer.
• Dale Rettig: Former Major Leaguer and pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Debra Rettig: Radio host and actress best known for her role in the movie The Fault in Our Stars.
• Eric Rettig: Golf professional and two-time champion on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series.
• Thomas Rettig: World-renowned cellist and professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Other surnames

RettichRettieRettinger