Surname Riffelmacher - Meaning and Origin
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Riffelmacher: What does the surname Riffelmacher mean?
The last name Riffelmacher is of German origin and is derived from an occupational surname. Occupational surnames were once used to identify people and their trades by their last name. The last name Riffelmacher refers to a trade or profession of a “Riffelmacher” which is likely a metal worker or tool creator. A Riffelmacher would have had to have a great knowledge of the entire process of metalworking in order to carry out his work. This would have included tools such as rasps and files and intricate tools for cutting and shaping metals, as well as joining pieces of metal together and heating metals for various purposes.
Additionally, a Riffelmacher would have been required to have a vast knowledge of metallurgy and the properties of metals, not only in order to understand and manipulate the metal itself, but also to craft the most efficient and effective tools that were suitable for particular metals.
The name Riffelmacher is a reminder of a profession that has been around since the dawn of metalworking and in some cases, is still carried on today. The title itself may be derived from the German words Riffel which means “corrugated” and Macher which translates to “worker” or “maker.” It is likely that the person holding this prestigious title of Riffelmacher had a lot of skill and knowledge of metalworking and their craft.
Order DNA origin analysisRiffelmacher: Where does the name Riffelmacher come from?
The last name Riffelmacher is not one of the more common surnames in modern times, but it does appear to be most prevalent in the United States, mainly in the Midwest and in the West. The name appears to have originated in Germany, with the earliest known record of a person with the name being Mathias Riffelmacher, who is believed to have been born in the 13th century in Bavaria.
Today, most people with the name Riffelmacher in the United States can trace their ancestry to Rhineland-Palatinate, a state in the southwest of Germany. The name also appears in other parts of Europe, with the highest concentrations being in Austria and France.
In the United States, the last name is most common in the Midwest, particularly in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In the West, it is most common in California, Oregon, and Washington. The surname is also found in other countries, including Canada and Australia.
The population with the Riffelmacher name has remained relatively small compared to other common surnames. As of 2020, the US Census Bureau estimates that only about 150 people in the United States are currently bearing the name.
Variations of the surname Riffelmacher
The surname Riffelmacher can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include: Riffelmacher, Rifflemaker, Ralphsmaecker, Rafalmacger, Rifflemechrer, Reffelmeicher, Refselmeyer, Reifflemaeker, Ruffelmeichr, Raffelmöcher, Räfelmeicher, Réfelmeicher, Riffelmoechrer, Riffelmoecher, Ruffelmacher, Ruffelmaijer, Rechelmacher, Reichelmacher.
Riffelmacher is a German surname, and can be traced back to the 1890s when many of these variant spellings were commonly used among German immigrants. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word "Riffelmacher", which literally translates to "ruffle maker." This was likely a reference to a profession. The same surname is found in both German and Dutch, and the name continues to be used among both countries in modern times.
In addition to the various spellings, variants, and changed surnames, there are a few other surnames which are variants of Riffelmacher. These include "Reiffelmacher" and "Riffelmattener".
Given the large variety of forms, it is impossible to determine an exact origin of the surname Riffelmacher or to differentiate between particular variants. That said, this surname is Germanic in origin and has been in use in both German and Dutch culture since at least the late 1800s.
Famous people with the name Riffelmacher
- Lisa Riffelmacher: Former professional lacrosse player for the Georgia Storm.
- Erich Riffelmacher: CEO and President of Elios USA investment.
- Joe Riffelmacher: Professional basketball player in the Philippines.
- Abigail Riffelmacher: Professional long distance runner and multi-time Ironman finisher.
- Kasey Riffelmacher: Professional soccer player for the United States Soccer League (USL).
- Grant Riffelmacher: Singer/Songwriter, guitarist, and producer for the rock band Breach.
- Ryan Riffelmacher: Former professional competitive beach volleyball player in the AVP Beach Volleyball Tour.
- Dennis Riffelmacher: Award winning recording artist and composer.
- Nicholas Riffelmacher: Professional ultra-runner and Ironman challenger.
- Robert Riffelmacher: Emeritus professor of sociology at Princeton University and Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy.