Surname Reisen - Meaning and Origin
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Reisen: What does the surname Reisen mean?
The last name Reisen is German in origin and is derived from the German word ‘Reise’ meaning ‘journey’, ‘voyage’, or ‘expedition’. It is believed to be an occupational surname referring to those who took part in journeys, such as merchants, explorers, emigrants, pilgrims, and traveling minstrels and musicians. The surname is believed to have first appeared in the medieval kingdom of Bavaria, and would eventually spread across mainland Europe, reaching Britain, the Americas, and other parts of the world.
Reisen is typically a toponymic surname, referring to those who hailed from places with the name Reise or similar variants. Examples of such places include cities and towns in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, such as Rollesbroich, Reisbach, Reisseck, Reisberg, and Räis.
Given its meaning, the surname Reisen is likely to have been taken on by many people as they embarked on their own journeys—from making pilgrimages or seeking better lives in distant lands to our modern journeys to seek education, employment, and recreation. The surname therefore carries connotations of adventure, freedom, and exploration, that can inspire its bearers to continue on their journeys and live life to its fullest.
Order DNA origin analysisReisen: Where does the name Reisen come from?
The last name Reisen is believed to have originated in Germany and is still predominantly found there today. In particular, it is most likely to be encountered in the regions of Bavaria, Hesse and Saxony. The name is still common across Germany, but is also notably found in other countries of central Europe, including France, Austria and Switzerland.
In the United States, the last name is relatively rare. Even so, there are several people state-wide who have some form of the name, including Reiss, Reissen, Reisz and Reise. As of 2019, the Reisen spelling was the 132nd most popular last name in the country, according to the US Census Bureau.
At the same time, the name Reisen has spread to other parts of the world. It is particularly common in the Jewish diaspora as the Yiddish sound of the name Reisen is similar to the English word "Rice." Due to this, it is also very common in Israel.
In sum, the last name Reisen is largely found in European countries, particularly Germany, as well as in the United States and Israel. It is not incredibly common, but can still be encountered across the world.
Variations of the surname Reisen
The surname Reisen is an Ashkenazi Jewish name of German origin, derived from the word “reise”, which means “journey”. The surname was likely adopted by Jewish people who either immigrated from German lands or were natives to the area and changed their name to something considered more Jewish.
Variants of the surname Reisen include Rise, Reznik, Risenberg, Rosen, Rosenbaum, Rosenblatt, Rosenfeld, Rosenkrantz, Rosenman and Rosenzweig. Spellings of the surname Reisen also vary, with some of the most common being Reisen, Risen, Reissen, Riesen, Rysen, Reesen and Risien.
Surnames of similar origin include Risien, Riesenberger, Risberg, Riesenberg, Riss and Ris.
The surnames Reisen, Rise, Reznik, Risenberg, Rosen, Rosenbaum, Rosenblatt, Rosenfeld, Rosenkrantz, Rosenman and Rosenzweig all can trace their history back to the people of German Jewish descent. The spellings and variants of the name reflect the original German pronunciation, and serve to commemorate the culture of Jewish people in Germany as well as connect them to their heritage.
Famous people with the name Reisen
- Cucu Diamantes: A Cuban-American singer and actress
- Haskell Reisen: An American businessman
- Chris Reisen: An American social worker and philanthropist
- Elizaveta Glinka: A Russian linguist, public figure, and philanthropist
- Gunnar Reisen: A Norwegian Olympic rower
- Eunice Gayson: An English actress
- Siiri Reisen: An Estonian actress
- Michael Reisen: An American screenwriter
- Don Reisen: An American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Christian Reisen: A German sportsman and television presenter