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Last Name Regehr

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What is the origin of the last name Regehr?

Last updated : 28 July 2025

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The surname Regehr is of German origin, specifically from Saxony and Thuringia regions. It is derived from the Old High German word "ragari" which means "raven." This name was originally a nickname for someone with rave…

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The meaning and origin of the last name Regehr

The surname Regehr is of German origin, stemming from various regions in Germany, particularly Saxony and Thuringia. It is a habitational name derived from several places named Regis or Reichers, meaning "belonging to the king" or "mighty ruler." In these locations, the name might have been given as a symbol of allegiance to the local ruler or as a mark of respect and admiration for their power. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved due to various factors such as translation errors, regional dialects, and personal preference, resulting in variations like Regier, Reicher, and Rieger. The surname Regehr was brought to North America by German immigrants, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, and can now be found throughout Europe and North America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Regehr

The surname Regehr is predominantly found in German-speaking regions, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. It is also common among the Mennonite and Hutterite communities, who originated from these areas and migrated to other countries such as Canada, Russia, and the United States during the 1800s and early 1900s due to religious persecution and land scarcity. In North America, the highest concentrations of Regehr individuals can be found in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, and various states across the U.S., such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, and North Dakota. It is important to note that the distribution may reflect historical migrations rather than current residence patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Regehr

The surname Regehr has several variations and spelling alternatives due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects over time. Some of these variants include Regier, Reger, Reicher, Rieger, and Reyher. These alterations may have arisen from phonetic changes, regional pronunciation differences, or errors in transcription during migration or record-keeping. It is essential to note that while these variations share a common origin, they might have distinct ancestral lineages due to family name mutations over generations. Additionally, the name Regehr could potentially be a German, Swiss, or Austrian derivative from the Old High German words "reih" (row) and "hari" (army), implying someone who belonged to a particular row in an army.

Famous people with the last name Regehr

Notable individuals sharing the surname Regehr include:

1. Brent Regehr - A retired Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was known for his physical play as a defenseman.

2. Jeff Regehr - An American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "The Ripper" Marquis WhipWreck. He has competed in various promotions, including Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

3. Mark Regehr - A Canadian retired ice hockey defenseman who played for several teams in the NHL, including the San Jose Sharks and the New York Islanders. He is also a former assistant coach at the University of North Dakota.

4. Ray Regehr - A Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was known for his physical play and leadership qualities.

Genealogical research on the last name Regehr

The surname Regehr originates from Germany and is a variation of Regier, which means ruler or governor in German. The name's earliest known records date back to the 16th century in Silesia, a historical region that is now part of Poland. Some early bearers of the name include Andreas Regehr, who was born in Breslau (now Wroclaw) in 1584, and Johannes Regehr, a pastor in Klein-Glogau (now Głogów) in 1637.

The name spread to other parts of Europe, including Russia and North America, particularly during the mass migrations in the 18th and 19th centuries. In Canada, many Regehrs settled in the province of Saskatchewan due to its Mennonite settlements. Notable individuals with the name include Hans Regehr, a Swiss professional ice hockey player, and Steve Regehr, a Canadian professional football player. The name's modern distribution includes Germany, Canada, Russia, and the United States, among other countries.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

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

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