| ![Show Contents]() Reaugh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The ancestral home of the Reaugh family is in the German province of Bavaria. Reaugh is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute. It is a name for a shaggy or unkempt person, stemming from the German word "rauch," meaning "rough, hairy." As with many early names such as this, the reference was often in jest. More likely, the origin is in reference to the smoke generated by smithies and thereby would be a trade name. The name was translated to English when the first settlers immigrated to North America, giving rise to such variations as "Smoak" or "Smoke." Early Origins of the Reaugh familyThe surname Reaugh was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. Literally, the name refers to the smoke generated by smithies. For instance, a smith in Zurich was known as "Meister Roeuchli," literally "Mister Smoke," around 1468. The various branches of the Rauch and Raeuchlin families declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. Early History of the Reaugh familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reaugh research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1522, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1808 and 1814 are included under the topic Early Reaugh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Reaugh Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Reaugh include Raucher, Rauche, Raeuchlin, Reuchlin, Raeuchle, Rauck, Raucker, Raucke, Rauk, Rauker, Rauke, Smoak, Smoke, Ruch and many more. Early Notables of the Reaugh familyProminent among members of the name Reaugh in this period include Johannes Reuchlin (1455-1522), who was, together with his friend Erasmus, the driving force behind the German Renaissance. He began as a lawyer in the service of the Duke of Wuerttemberg, became a judge of...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reaugh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Reaugh familyEuropean migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Reaughs to arrive in North America, and among them were: Johannes J. Rauch, who sailed to America in 1709; Bernhard Rauch, who sailed to Pennsylvania in 1738; Johannes Rauck, who came to Philadelphia in 1750.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Reaugh (post 1700) | + |
- Ernest O. Reaugh, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Illinois Democratic State Central Committee, 1925 1
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