Surname Riffel - Meaning and Origin

Riffel: What does the surname Riffel mean?

The last name Riffel is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Middle High German language. The name could have two possible meanings. It could be derived from the word “riff” which means “angry” or “feisty” or it could be rooted in the word “riffel,” which has to do with shapes or patterns.

The name Riffel is not common, but there are some documented records of the name dating back to the Middle Ages. For example, in 14th century Germany, there are records of a cobbler bearing the name Hainrich Riffel from Freudenberg. A Johann Riffel was also documented in the 16th century in Erfeld, Germany. Later on, records of Riffels can be found in records from Darmstadt, Germany.

Today, Riffel is a moderately common surname throughout Germany, France, and Europe. There are quite a few families in the United States that trace their ancestry back to Riffels who migrated from Europe to America in the 19th century.

Overall, the last name Riffel is likely derived from the Middle High German language and could be related to either the words "riff" or "riffel." It is a moderately common surname and has a long history within Europe and beyond.

Riffel: Where does the name Riffel come from?

The last name Riffel is mostly found in Switzerland, Germany, and France. In Switzerland, the surname is most commonly found in the canton of Zurich, especially in the northern part of the region. It is also known to have a few pockets of concentration in the canton of St. Gallen. In terms of Germany, the surnames is most common in Bavaria and Saxony.

The surname is believed to have been derived from either the German word "Riffel" which means "hatch" or the French word "Riffel" meaning "tool". It is believed to have initially been a nickname, given to someone who was talented at woodworking or metalwork due to their ability to create crisp lines. Overtime, the nickname became adopted as a surname.

The Riffel surname is also known to be found in the United States and are believed to be descendants of the original Swiss settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. The majority of immigrants from Switzerland in the 1800s settled in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, and other nearby areas. Today, the surname is still found in those original areas of settlement, however, it's slowly spread beyond that.

The last name Riffel can be found in major cities around the world, as well as small towns. It is even carried on today by families spread across Europe, the United States, and beyond.

Variations of the surname Riffel

The surname Riffel is of German origin and it is mostly found in the United States, Canada, and South Africa. It is derived from the German word “Rufel” which means “scorn” or “disdain”. The alternate spellings and variants of Riffel include Riffe, Rifel, Rifelle, Riffell, Riffells, Riffelmayer, and Riffl. Additionally, some of the surnames with the same origin as Riffel include Ruffel, Ruffell, Ruffells, Ruffelmeyer, and Ruffl.

Riffel is the most commonly used spelling of this German surname. In the United States, it is often found in the Midwestern states such as Wisconsin and Illinois. In South Africa, it is mainly concentrated in Johannesburg and Pretoria. In Canada, the most common spelling is Riffell.

Since the surname Riffel is derived from the German word “Rufel”, other surnames with similar origins may also exist. Common surnames with the same origin include Ruffel, Ruffell, Ruffells, Ruffelmeyer, and Ruffl. These surname variants may also be found in Europe, especially in Germany and other German-speaking countries.

In conclusion, the surname Riffel has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Riffe, Rifel, Rifelle, Riffell, Riffells, Riffelmayer, and Riffl. Additionally, other surnames with similar origins include Ruffel, Ruffell, Ruffells, Ruffelmeyer, and Ruffl.

Famous people with the name Riffel

• Melanie Riffel: Former American actress, most known for her role in the 1986 comedy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
• Rebecca Riffel: Former American porn actress.
• Sofia Riffel: Canadian artist, educated at the Alberta College of Art + Design in Calgary, Alberta, and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
• Jean-Claude Riffel: Luxembourgish sculptor, focused primarily on abstract works in bronze and steel.
• Jason Riffel: Former professional Canadian ice hockey player, known for playing for the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
• Aaron Riffel: American contemporary artist, illustrator, and graphic designer based on the United States West Coast.
• Richard Riffel: American steeplechase jockey, primarily competing in the National Steeplechase Association.
• Theodore Riffel: American politician and a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.
• Vladimir Riffel: Brazilian professor, lecturer, and author in the area of the arts, known for his Humanidades para o Ensino Médio and Conceituação do Currículo de Artes Visuais.
• Jon Riffel: American television producer and writer, and a three-time Emmy Award winner for his work on the 1998 television sitcom Seinfeld.

Other surnames

RiffeRiffeeRiffelerRiffelmacherRiffertRiffey