Surname Rathers - Meaning and Origin
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Rathers: What does the surname Rathers mean?
The last name Rathers is a patronymic name derived from the Anglo-Saxon given name Rathor, which is thought to have ultimately come from the Scots Gaelic element "rathoir," meaning decision maker or patron. As a result, the name Rathers can be taken to suggest a sense of strong decision-making aptitude and leadership skills.
Evidence of the family name goes as far back as the Middle Ages, but the first recorded reference appears in 1275 in County Durham, England where a Roger Rather was recorded as surname. Records show that the Rathers family was mainly associated with the agricultural industry especially in Scotland.
The family had many branches, and many of its members were renowned in the early years of modern Scotland. A William Rather, for example, was finance minister from 1697–1705, and his brother, Adam Rather, was an economist and lawyer that served from 1705–1706, introducing a number of economic progressive policies in Scotland during this time.
The surname Rathers is quite common throughout England and other various parts of Europe. Its meaning is not necessarily unique, but can be found in many cultures, meaning decision maker or patron. The family name could be entirely Germanic in origin, but some believe it to be a derivative of the Gaelic Rathoir due to its roots in Scotland. Regardless of its origin, the surname Rathers represents a powerful presence in many cultures and suggests a strong sense of leadership.
Order DNA origin analysisRathers: Where does the name Rathers come from?
The surname Rathers is a name that is primarily found in the United States today. It is associated with the German surname Rothers, which is thought to have derived from the Germanic element “rad”, meaning “counsel” or “advice”. A number of spelling varieties, such as Rother, Rothert, Roter, and Rothers, developed from this early form.
In the US, the last name Rathers is most commonly found among individuals of Scandinavian, German, and English ancestry, and it ranks in the top 500 surnames in the United States today. It is most common in the Midwest region, particularly in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, due to Scandinavian immigration to these states. According to the US census of 2000, the highest concentration of interests in the name was in North Dakota.
In addition to the US, the surname Rathers is found in countries around the world that have significant immigrant populations of Scandinavian, German, and English descent. It is particularly prevalent in parts of Canada, where the Germanic Rothers form of the name is present, as well as the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.
In summary, the last name Rathers is most commonly found among individuals of Scandinavian, German, and English descent in the United States. It is also found around the world, particularly in countries with significant immigrant populations of these same nationalities.
Variations of the surname Rathers
The surname Rathers is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational name for someone who either raised or captured wild creatures. Variations and spellings of the name, which may have been used over the centuries in England, include Rathard, Reder, Rither, Rathere, Ratheer, Rathert, Raether, Rayther, Readher and Readharr.
In Germany, the surname Rathard is among the most common spellings. This is believed to come from the Middle High German word ‘raz’, meaning ‘horned creature’. In Ireland, variants include Reddin, Reddan, Reddan, Ridhan and Redden.
In England, Rathard is the most frequently seen version of the name whereas in Scotland the spelling Wythers is more common. In North America, particularly in the US, some Rathers immigrants spell the name Redder, with the ‘a’ dropped in favour of the ‘e’.
In Wales, variations include Ratfdor, Ratford and Ratfurd, and in parts of France the spelling Rayther persists.
Overall, the spelling of the surname Rathers may vary depending on which country it originates from and which period in history. Nonetheless, all the aforementioned spellings and variants are believed to come from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Rathers
- Dan Rather: Former news anchor for CBS News and the managing editor and anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981-2005.
- Lois Rather: Elder sister of Dan Rather and an educator.
- Lacy Rather: Younger brother of Dan Rather and a pastoral counselor.
- Meg G. Rather: Daughter of Dan Rather and former Book Editor for “The Washington Post”.
- Joan Rather: Wife of Dan Rather and a former Secretary.
- Willa Rather: Daughter of Dan Rather and an award-winning advertising and marketing expert.
- Betty Lou Rather: Mother of Dan Rather and a former secretary and administrator in the Texas public school system.
- Ron Rather: Father of Dan Rather and a former public school teacher.
- Jay Rather: Younger brother of Dan Rather and a salesman for a Fortune 500 Company.
- Dean Rather: Grandfather of Dan Rather and a Texas County Commissioner.