Reger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The roots of the distinguished German surname Reger lie in the southern regions of Swabia, Bavaria, and Austria. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "reigel" or "reiger," both meaning "heron." The name was likely first bestowed on someone thought to have the characteristics of a heron as a nickname, eventually becoming a hereditary surname.
Early Origins of the Reger family
The surname Reger was first found in Bavaria, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name Rieger became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.
Early History of the Reger family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reger research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1790 and 1792 are included under the topic Early Reger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Reger Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Rieger, Reiger, Riegger, Reigger, Riegar, Reigar, Riger, Rigger, Ryger, Rygger, Riegler and many more.
Early Notables of the Reger family
More information is included under the topic Early Reger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Reger Ranking
In the United States, the name Reger is the 12,743rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
Reger migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Reger Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- William Reger, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 2
Reger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Christian Reger, who landed in New Jersey in 1709 2
Reger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- A Marie Reger, aged 7, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 2
- Barbara Reger, aged 2, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 2
- Cathrine Reger, aged 31, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 2
- Michel Reger, aged 31, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
- Peter Reger, aged 36, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 2
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Reger (post 1700) +
- John George Reger (1931-2013), American NFL football linebacker who played from 1955 to 1966 for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins
- Robert A. Reger, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Upshur County, 1905-06 3
- John T. Reger, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State Senate 14th District, 1916 3
- Earle Reger, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Weston, West Virginia, 1920-28 3
- Bill Reger, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates 3rd District, 1984 3
- Max Reger (1873-1916), German composer
- Janet Reger (1935-2005), English lingerie designer
Historic Events for the Reger family +
Bismarck
- Hans Reger (1917-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details