Surname Reinecke - Meaning and Origin

Deciphering the Roots of Surname Reinecke through iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey into the Past

Uncovering the secrets within my DNA and exploring my ancestral past through the iGENEA DNA test, I found fascinating revelations about the surname Reinecke. Tracing back to the ancient Germanic tribes and European haplogroups, my genetic journey also held surprising elements of Viking lineage.

E. Reinecke

Reinecke: What does the surname Reinecke mean?

Reinecke is a German surname of occupational origin, derived from the Middle High German term "reineke" which translates to "little fox". It was historically a nickname for a clever or cunning individual, often used for a person who was crafty or sly like a fox. This name is not overly common and can be found mostly in Germany, and occasionally in areas with German influences or immigrant populations, such as the United States. Just like many surnames with animal connections, it was likely originally used to describe someone's characteristic or personality traits, much in the way we might call someone 'sly as a fox' today. Every surname has a story and for the Reinecke family, this story appears to be rooted in medieval German culture.

Reinecke: Where does the name Reinecke come from?

The last name Reinecke (originally spelled Reinicke or Reineke) is of German origin and is pronounced RINE-es-ki. Today, the last name is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the north and east. It is also common in Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.

In Germany, the name is most commonly found around the state of Saxony, which is located in the south-east corner of the country. The name is also quite common in the nearby states of Bavaria and Thuringia.

The name Reinecke has also spread to other parts of Europe. It is especially popular in Denmark, where it ranks as the 78th most common surname in the country. It is also popular in Belgium, where it ranks as the 324th most common surname.

The name is also carrying on in North America as well. The United States Census records show that there are over 6,000 people in the country who bear the last name. It is particularly prominent in the states of New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Florida.

Although the name Reinecke is less common than it used to be today, it is still relatively easy to find in major parts of Europe and North America.

Variations of the surname Reinecke

The surname Reinecke has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations of the surname can be found in numerous countries with a history of European immigration, such as the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.

One of the most common variants of the surname Reinecke is Reinicke. This variation is especially popular in Germany and its surrounding countries. A less common variation of the name is Reinecker. It is mostly found in southern Germany and Austria.

The spelling of the surname Reinecke can also be adjusted to two further variations; Reynecke and Reinike. The spelling of Reynecke is commonly found in the Netherlands, whilst the spelling of Reinike is most popular in the United States.

The surname is popular enough to have several surnames that have evolved from Reinecke, these include Rainecke, Raynecke, Rainicke, Reynecke, Raynicke and Reinicke.

In the United States, surnames of Germanic origin are often suffixed with -er. This additional suffix is also popular in other countries, such as the Netherlands. This suffix creates either the surname Reinicke-er or Reinicke-r.

The numerous spellings and variants of the surname Reinecke are a reflection of the fact that the surname has an impressive history, having been recorded in numerous documents across Europe. The variations help to explain the origins of the surname in different parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Reinecke

• Carl Reinecke (1824-1910): German composer and pianist.
• Fritz Reinecke (1848-1941): German Germanist and musicologist.
• C. Reinecke (1832-1908): German Lutheran theologian and orientalist.
• Robert Reinecke (1920-2004): German Olympic athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Bodo Reinecke (born 1948): German astrologer and founder of German Astro Academy.
• Heinz Reinecke (born 1924): German-Canadian politician, civil servant, and farmer.
• Asmus Jacob Carstens (1754−1798): German painter and draughtsman who also used the pseudonym Reinecke.
• Karl Reinecke (1912-1973): German footballer who played in the 1930 FIFA World Cup.
• Adolf Reinecke (1849-1891): German romantic opera composer who wrote the opera "The Undertaker’s Daughter".
• Sönke Reinecke (born 1965): German character actor and cabaret artist.

Other surnames

ReinecciusReinecken