Show ContentsReininger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bavaria, Germany is the original homeland of the Reininger family. Reininger is a patronymic name, a type of surname that derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. Reininger was derived from the Old Germanic personal name Raginhari, which is composed of the Old German elements ragin, which means counsel, and hard, which means hardy.

Early Origins of the Reininger family

The surname Reininger was first found in Bavaria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. Chronicles first mention Reinerus Reynberti of Rostolk around 1280. The Latin "Renerus" also became "Reinher" from which "Reinhard" was formed. In their later history the Reiners became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Reininger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reininger research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1606, 1647 and 1728 are included under the topic Early Reininger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reininger Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Reininger include Reiner, Reine, Reinere, Rhiner, Reiners, Rainer, Rainers, Rainert, Rainere, Renerus (Latin) and many more.

Early Notables of the Reininger family

Prominent among members of the name Reininger in this period include Vincentio (Vincenzio, Vincenzo) Reinieri (Renieri, Reiner) (1606-1647), an Italian mathematician and astronomer, close friend and disciple of...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reininger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Reininger migration to the United States +

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Reininger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Geo Reininger, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 [1]
  • George Reininger, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773 [1]
Reininger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Heinrich Reininger, from Germany who arrived in Texas in 1844 aboard the ship "Ferdinand" [1]
  • Mrs. Anna Marie Reininger, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Ferdinand" in 1844
  • Mrs. Reininger, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Ferdinand" in 1844
  • Mrs. Reininger, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Sarah Ann"
  • Mr. Joh. Georg Reininger, aged 32, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Sarah Ann"
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. 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)


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