Surname Riehne - Meaning and Origin

Riehne: What does the surname Riehne mean?

The last name Riehne is an old German surname. Its exact origin is uncertain, however some sources suggest that it derives from the given name “Reicho”, which is a diminutive of the Germanic name “Reinhardt”, meaning ‘strong in counsel’ or ‘bold ruler’. The corresponding English name is similar “Raymond”.

The family name is typically found in the German states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Additionally, it is seen in numerous regions of the United States that have a large German population.

Riehne family members may have been hunters or gamekeepers of various estates and forests. They were credited with maintaining and protecting the boar, deer and wolves within the hunting grounds. It is likely that these members were of a noble class in the earliest dating of the family.

As the name continued to spread and grow, the meaning began to evolve into other variations, too. In the 18th century, the name was spelled as Rienem, a common usage of the name within East Prussia.

Today, Riehne remains a respected surname across many parts of the world and serves as a reminder of the strong German heritage that has been shaped by centuries of migration, culture and tradition.

Riehne: Where does the name Riehne come from?

The last name Riehne is most prevalent in Germany. According to statistics, the last name Riehne is the 843rd most common last name in Germany, with over 25,000 people having the surname. There are also small populations of people with the last name Riehne in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Liechtenstein.

In the United States, the last name Riehne is not especially common, but it is found in parts of the Midwest and elsewhere. Records show that the Riehne surname peaked in the 1920s and 1930s in the United States, but has steadily declined in usage since then. The most common states for Riehne families are Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

The last name Riehne is also found in South Africa, India, and Jamaica, with people of German decent having migrated to these countries over the course of generations. Possible variations or spellings of Riehne include Rine, Rinne, and Rhine.

Overall, the last name Riehne is most common in Germany and various German-speaking countries, as well as the United States Midwest. It can also be found in South Africa, India, and Jamaica.

Variations of the surname Riehne

Riehne is an uncommon German surname. Variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin can include Rhine, Reine, Rein, Raihn, Rahne, Reihn and Rehn.

Riehne is derived from the Middle Low German verb “rihhen”, which means to move quickly. It is also related to the German word “rein”, which can roughly be translated to mean pure. As such, it is likely that the surname was either originally held by those involved in travelling quickly, or those who were considered to be pure of heart.

Others bearing the surname Riehne might have been descended from an ancestor who hailed from the Rhine region bordering Germany and the Netherlands. The Rhine river is the second longest in western Europe and is a source of much of Europe’s history and culture.

Throughout history, individuals have adopted various surnames due to marriage or for unique personal reasons. As such, Riehne is also known to appear in other forms. These include Rhine, Reine, Rein, Raihn, Rahne, Reihn and Rehn. It should, however, be noted that the actual spelling may differ in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and France where spelling conventions and letter usage can be more divergent than in the Germanic countries.

Overall, the main thing that links all of these surname variants together is a common historical origin which is likely to be related to the Rhine river region. As such, many of those bearing the surname Riehne may have ancestors from the Rhine region of western Europe or may have adopted it for purely symbolic reasons.

Famous people with the name Riehne

• Amy Riehne: She is an American actress who has starred in shows such as The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Veep, and more.
• Kim Riehne: She is a contemporary artist and instructor whose artwork has been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad.
• Ralph Riehne: A former American football offensive lineman who played college football for the University of Wisconsin and later with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Keith Riehne: He is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.
• Paul Riehne: A German-born actor, writer, and director who has appeared in a number of films and television series.
• Mark Riehne: An American metal drummer who has performed with popular metal bands including In Flames, Meshuggah, and more.
• Bill Riehne: An American businessman and the former CEO and acting chairman of The Home Depot.
• Jonathan Riehne: An American basketball player who is currently playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League.
• Herbert Riehne: A German World War II Luftwaffe ace credited with 101 aerial victories.
• Sven Riehne: A retired professional footballer who played for German sides such as Schalke 04, Union Nuremberg, and VfL Wolfsburg.

Other surnames

Riehn