Last Name Rathe

The surname Rathe is of Old German origin. It is derived from various given names such as Radbert, Radbod, and Rathold, which were composed of the elements "rat" (counsel) or "rad" (wheel) and "berht" (bright) or "bold" (brave). These names were popular among the medieval Germanic tribes and were often used as given names before being adopted as surnames. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved due to linguistic changes, migration, and regional dialects.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rathe

The meaning and origin of the last name Rathe

The surname Rathe is of Old Norse origin, derived from the personal name Ráthi or Ráthen, which means "counsel" or "advice." In Old Norse, names were often formed by adding suffixes to nouns, and Ráthi/Ráthen was no exception. The personal name evolved into Rathe in Middle English and is most prevalent in Germany, Scandinavia, and the British Isles. It is believed that Vikings who settled in these regions brought this name with them during the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries). Over time, the spelling of the surname has varied, with variations such as Rath, Rathey, Ratheys, and Rathes found across different regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rathe

The surname Rathe is primarily concentrated in Germany and Austria, where it originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a rate, a type of fast-flowing stream or brook. Variations such as Rath, Rathey, and Rathei can also be found in these regions. The surname has also spread to other countries due to migration, particularly to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where German and Austrian immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, the highest concentrations of Rathes can be found in states with a significant German-American population such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rathe

The surname Rathe has several variations and alternate spellings. Some of these include Rathé, Rathae, Rathey, and Rathee. These alterations may be due to regional dialects or transcription errors over time. Additionally, there might be instances where the name is hyphenated (Rathe-), or combined with other names such as McRathe or O'Rathe, depending on the individual's ancestry and cultural background. Furthermore, it is important to note that some people may also have slight misspellings or variations in their names due to factors like handwriting errors or name transliterations from another language.

Famous people with the last name Rathe

The Rathe family is not particularly known for having many globally renowned figures, but there are some notable individuals bearing this surname. One such person is John Rathe, an American composer and music educator. He served as the head of music composition at the University of Colorado Boulder and is best recognized for his works "Celestial Mechanics" and "Elegy". Another individual is Robert Rathe, a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1981 to 1990. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2013. Lastly, there's Jocelyne Rathe-Savard, a Canadian professional ice hockey player who won Olympic gold medals in 1998 and 2002. She is also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. These individuals have contributed significantly to their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Rathe

The surname Rathe is believed to have originated from the British Isles, particularly Scotland and England. Historically, it's a variant of the more common surnames Rath or Rate, which are geographical names derived from places named with the Old English word "rat" meaning "clearing" or "open space."

In Scotland, Rathe is primarily found in the region of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. One early record shows a John Rathe witnessing a charter by King David I in 1153 in Ayrshire. In England, records show that the Rathe family resided in Derbyshire during the late Middle Ages.

The name later spread to other parts of Europe due to immigration and colonization. For instance, some Rathes emigrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Some branches of the family can also be found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, where they arrived primarily through immigration from Scotland and England during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Rathe"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends