Surname Reinhart - Meaning and Origin
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Z. Reinhart
read moreReinhart: What does the surname Reinhart mean?
The surname Reinhart is of German origin and derives from two Old German words, namely "ragin" which means 'counsel' or 'advice' and "hardu" which signifies 'brave', 'hardy', or 'strong'. Therefore, Reinhart can roughly be translated to mean 'brave counselor' or 'wise and strong'. The name was often given to individuals with characteristics of wisdom, bravery, or strength, especially those in positions of leadership or advisory roles. Over time, variations of this surname have emerged due to differences in regional dialects and immigration, but the original essence of the name remains as a symbol of strength and wisdom.
Order DNA origin analysisReinhart: Where does the name Reinhart come from?
The last name Reinhart is most common today in countries located in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. It is also found in parts of Hungary, Romania, and parts of Ukraine.
In Germany, the Reinhart purpose is recorded back to the 13th century in the region that is now the city of Augsburg in Bavaria. In the 19th century it spread to nearly all parts of the German Empire, and is by far the most numerous Reinhart form today.
In the Austrian-Hungarian Empire the Reinhart name was also widespread, becoming especially popular in Slovakia and parts of Hungary. In the 20th century many Reinharts from this area emigrated to the United States and other countries seeking better economic opportunities.
There is also a small scattering of Reinharts in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, usually being the result of immigration from Central or Eastern Europe.
Reinhart is a Germanic version of a name once found in the Rhine region and means ‘strong judgment’ or ‘strong decision’, although the exact origin is uncertain. Although the last name Reinhart may have been formed in many different places across Europe, its base origin is likely of Germanic origin.
In today's world, the Reinhart family name is associated with German heritage, and is common among many Germanized-speaking people hailing from Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Reinhart
The surname Reinhart is of German and Dutch origin and is derived from the ancient Germanic name Reinhard. Variants of the name include: 'Reinhardt', 'Rainhard', 'Rinehart', 'Rinehardt', 'Rhinehart', 'Rynhart', and 'Reinharth'. The variations in spellings indicate that the surname originated in different regions or that it was adopted by different families in other parts of Europe.
In Germany, the '-t' at the end of the surname is usually used to denote what is known as the 'German Inheritance Rule' (Erbregel). According to this rule, surnames ending with '-t' indicated that the son inherited both his given name and his father's surname.
In the Dutch language, the '-dt' also appears in the surnames ‘Reinhartd’ and ‘Rinhardd’. The 'd' at the end of the name was an indication that the name was derived from a patronymic, meaning that the original bearer was the son of Reinhardt.
In English-speaking countries, the surname is commonly found in the spelling 'Rinehart'. Due to the prevalence of English, this spelling is the most widely used variation in the United States.
Overall, the surname Reinhart is common in Germany, with a few variants appearing in Dutch and English-speaking countries. Variations include Reinhardt, Rainhard, Rinehart, Rinehardt, Rhinehart, Rynhart, Reinharth, Reinhartd, and Rinhardd.
Famous people with the name Reinhart
- Cole Reinhart: Sr. pastor of Cross Point Church and bestselling author.
- Robert Reinhart: Director of the Korean Economic Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
- Margaret Reinhart: German-American scientist and geologist
- Barbara Reinhart: Austrian-born American scholar of Indian literature and poet
- Kelli Reinhart: American actress
- Syd Reinhart: American adventurer and mountain climber
- Richard Reinhart: A retired United States Army lieutenant General
- Paul Reinhart: Professional hockey player
- Brent Reinhart: American singer/songwriter
- Rudy Reinhart: Former German football goalkeeper