Surname Rothensteiner - Meaning and Origin

Rothensteiner: What does the surname Rothensteiner mean?

The last name Rothensteiner is of Austrian-German origin and is a locational name referring to a person from the Rothenstein area in Upper Austria. The name Rothensteiner is derived from the name of this area, which is in turn derived from the German word “Rot” (red) and “Stein” (stone). Thus, the name literally translates from German to English as “red stones”.

The origins of the family name Rothensteiner can be traced back to the 12th century and is derived from the clans who once lived in the area around Rothenstein. The earliest recorded mention of the surname Rothensteiner was made in the Austrian city of Krems an der Donau in 1437, in reference to one “Bertram von Rothenstein.”

Throughout time, the name Rothensteiner has spread to various countries in Europe, the United States of America, and Canada. In more recent times, the name is commonly associated with Austrian culture and is often used as an example of the traditional Austrian last name.

In conclusion, the last name Rothensteiner is an Austrian-German locational surname derived from the area of Rothenstein, which is so-called due to the red stones found in the area. The earliest recorded mention of the surname was made in 1437 and it has now spread to various countries across the world.

Rothensteiner: Where does the name Rothensteiner come from?

Today, the last name Rothensteiner is most commonly found in Austria and Germany. Records dating back to the medieval period show the name present in both regions, meaning it has likely been an established surname for centuries.

Historically, the Rothensteiner name was most dominant in the Austrian states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Salzburg. Today, most people bearing this name live in Germany and the Austrian state of Styria. As of 2017, the most densely populated areas included the region of the German state of Thuringia and in Vienna and Lower Austria in Austria.

The name Rothensteiner originated from the regions and towns where it was most common. Rothenstein is the name of a town in Lower Austria and the name is a combination of the words Rot (red) and Stein (stone) which refers to the red sandstone found in this part of the country.

There is also a Rothensteiner family in Hungary which likely began either with a migration from Germany/Austria or a more distant origin; however, data on this is difficult to trace.

The Rothensteiner name may have been scattered around the world in more recent times; however, its origins and main population remains in the Austro-German region.

Variations of the surname Rothensteiner

The surname Rothensteiner, of German origin, can be spelled and represented in various ways. The most obvious variations are spelled in the same way but with different accents, for example, Rothénsteiner or Röthénsteiner.

In records, the surname might be found written as Redenstain, pronounced the same as Rothensteiner. Rothenstein might also be seen, a shortening of Rothensteiner, omitting the last syllable.

Variations on the sound of the surname may also occur due to the phonetic differences of various languages. For instance, an Italian-speaking ancestor of the surname may have the surname written as Rodenstainer. Similarly, a Dutch-speaking ancestor might have their surname written as Rothensteiner, but pronounced with a Dutch accent as Rothstainer.

Lastly, there are alternate ways of writing Rothensteiner due to changes in spelling over time. For example, older records may spell the surname as Rotenstener or even in its original old German spelling, Rodensteiner.

Ultimately, researching the name further can reveal concret details and further sheds light on the history of the surname. By looking at the record in which it was found, the geographical and time period can help provide greater insight into the origin and spelling of the surname.

Famous people with the name Rothensteiner

• Markus Rothensteiner: Austrian bobsledder who won four European Championship medals
• Johann Rothensteiner: Austrian alpine skier who participated in the 1994 Winter Olympics
• Gerlinde Rothensteiner: Austrian former alpine ski racer
• Luis Rothensteiner: Swiss-Argentine illustrator, painter, and artist
• Dominik Rothensteiner: Austrian skier who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
• Phillip Rothensteiner: Austrian Paralympic athlete who won two gold medals in snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Paralympics
• Leopold Rothensteiner: Austrian-German railway engineer who founded a railway company in Germany and Austria
• Fritz Rothensteiner: Austrian profesional ice hockey player
• Rudolf Rothensteiner: Austrian football manager
• Hans Rothensteiner: Austrian Alpine skier who participated in three editions of the Winter Olympics in 1950, 1956 and 1960

Other surnames

Rothenstein