Rhine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Bavaria, Germany is the original homeland of the Rhine family. Rhine is a patronymic name, a type of surname that derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. Rhine 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 Rhine family

The surname Rhine 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 Rhine family

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

Rhine 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 Rhine include Reiner, Reine, Reinere, Rhiner, Reiners, Rainer, Rainers, Rainert, Rainere, Renerus (Latin) and many more.

Early Notables of the Rhine family

Prominent among members of the name Rhine 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 Rhine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rhine Ranking

In the United States, the name Rhine is the 7,800^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Rhine migration to the United States +

European 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 Rhines to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Rhine Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes J. Rhine, who settled in Philadelphia in 1753
Johannes Jacob Rhine, aged 20, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
Peter Rhine went to Boston in 1766

Rhine Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Rhine, who arrived in Mississippi in 1846 2
D Rhine, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 2
Solomon G Rhine, who arrived in Mississippi in 1850 2
William Rhine, who landed in Mississippi in 1855 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Rhine (post 1700) +

Bobby Rhine (1976-2011), American soccer player
Joseph Banks Rhine (1895-1980), American psychologist
Rhine Lana McLin (b. 1948), American Democratic politician, 54th Mayor of Dayton (2002-2010), Member of the Ohio Senate (1995-2001)

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)