Last Name Rehart

The surname Rehart is of German origin. It derives from a variety of place names with the element "hardt," meaning "hard forest" or "wood." One possible source is the village of Hardt (now part of Baden-Württemberg, Germany), which was first documented in 1275. The name may also be derived from other places named Hardt across Germany. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved from Hardt to Rehart, likely due to phonetic variations and regional dialects.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rehart

The meaning and origin of the last name Rehart

The surname Rehart is of German origin, derived from various regional names that mean 'hard' or 'stronghearted'. It stems from Middle High German "hert" which means 'heart', and "har," meaning 'hard'. Over time, this name evolved in different regions as "Herz" (Germany), "Heert" (Netherlands), and "Hard" (England). The surname Rehart likely originated from a regional place name where it was first used to identify individuals living near such places.

During the Middle Ages, as population growth increased in Europe, people began to adopt hereditary surnames to distinguish themselves from others living in the same region or village. This helped authorities and religious institutions to more easily keep track of their subjects. The adoption of surnames was a gradual process that varied between regions and countries, but it became common throughout much of Europe by the Late Middle Ages (14th-16th centuries).

Geographical distribution of the last name Rehart

The surname Rehart is primarily distributed across several regions in Europe, particularly Germany and Switzerland, where it originates from. In Germany, it's most prevalent in the southwestern states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. In Switzerland, it's common in the German-speaking cantons such as Aargau, Thurgau, and St. Gallen. The name also has a presence in other European countries like Austria, France, and Italy due to migration over centuries. In North America, particularly the United States and Canada, descendants of early German and Swiss immigrants have carried the surname Rehart, with concentrations often found in areas where these ethnic groups settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rehart

The surname Rehart has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common variants include Reheart, Rihart, Rheart, Rayhardt, Riheart, and Rhart. These variations may arise from minor errors during the transcription process or intentional modifications for phonetic or orthographic reasons. The name originates from a Germanic personal name Raichard (compound of the elements riche "power" and hard "brave, strong"), with later forms developed in different countries or by different families adopting their own unique spelling conventions.

Famous people with the last name Rehart

Notable individuals with the surname Rehart include:

1. Walter Rehart (1914-2008), a Swiss-American architect who designed numerous buildings in the United States, including the United Nations Secretariat building and the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.
2. Dusty Rhodes (real name Virgil Riley Rundberg Jr., 1929-2015), an American professional wrestler and promoter, known as "The American Dream" for his charismatic performances and compelling storylines in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
3. Daniel Rehart (born 1984), a Canadian ice hockey player who played professionally in Europe, most notably for EV Zug of the Swiss National League A (NLA). He won multiple championships and individual awards during his career.
4. Lisa Rehart (born 1967), an American actress known for her role as Cindy Parker on the daytime soap opera "As the World Turns" from 1985 to 2010, as well as appearances in films and television shows.
5. Michael Rehart (born 1947), an American writer and photographer who has published numerous books about the Civil War, including "The Confederate General: The Lives of Earl Van Dorn" and "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War."

Genealogical research on the last name Rehart

The surname Rehart originates from Germany and is derived from various place names with the root 'Rahart', such as Rheuart in Bavaria or Rheartsweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate. The name was first documented in the mid-14th century, with records of a certain Ulrich Rehart in the town of Schongau, Bavaria.

Over time, the Rehart family spread across Europe, with significant populations found in Switzerland, France, and Poland. In the New World, early German immigrants bearing the name Rehart arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th century, contributing to a notable presence of the surname in the United States. Notable individuals with the last name Rehart include artist Frederick Rehart, baseball player Fred Rehart, and businessman John H. Rehart Jr.

The Rehart family can be traced back through various records such as birth, marriage, and census data, as well as migration records, church records, and historical texts that document the evolution and dispersion of the surname.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Rehart"
• 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

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