Show ContentsRineer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

The surname Rineer 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 Rineer family

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

Rineer Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Rineer include Reiner, Reine, Reinere, Rhiner, Reiners, Rainer, Rainers, Rainert, Rainere, Renerus (Latin) and many more.

Early Notables of the Rineer family

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

Migration of the Rineer family

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Rineer surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Friedrich Reiner, who came to Philadelphia in 1730; as did Stefen Reiner. Valentin Reiner arrived in 1748; while Georg Reiner came in 1749. Reinrich Reiners came to Saratoga, New York in 1777.


Contemporary Notables of the name Rineer (post 1700) +

  • A. Hunter Rineer Jr., American State Librarian for Massachusetts (1973-1980)
  • Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Rineer (b. 1955), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played in one game for the Baltimore Orioles in 1979


Houseofnames.com on Facebook