NomOrigine Background

Last Name Reil

What is the origin of the last name Reil?

The surname Reil is of German origin. It is derived from a variety of given names such as Raginald, Reginald, or Radulphus, which were popular during the Middle Ages. The surname evolved from nicknames or occupational names for someone who worked as a royal official or a messenger. The name is found throughout Germany and is also prevalent in Austria, Switzerland, and some neighboring countries due to historical migrations.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Reil

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Reil

The meaning and origin of the last name Reil

The surname Reil is of Germanic origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "reil," which means "straight" or "level." This suggests that the original bearer of this name was likely a surveyor, builder, or mason responsible for ensuring surfaces were flat and level. Alternatively, it may have originated from the Old High German word "rīlo," meaning "a rut in the ground," indicating a person who lived near such a feature. The name was also found among the Normans in England, where it is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "reilr," meaning "a rod" or "a stick." Over time, various spellings of the name have appeared, including Real, Reyel, and Ryall, due to phonetic and orthographic changes.

Geographical distribution of the last name Reil

The surname Reil is predominantly found in German-speaking regions, particularly Germany and Austria, where it originates from. It has also been identified in neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Czech Republic, due to historical migration patterns and cultural ties. Additionally, there are notable clusters of people with the Reil surname in other European countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, reflecting migration waves over centuries. In North America, the name can be found among German and Swiss immigrants who settled predominantly in the United States and Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries. While the distribution of the Reil surname is primarily European, it has also been identified in other parts of the world as a result of global migration trends.

Variants and spellings of the last name Reil

The surname "Reil" has several variants and spellings across different regions and time periods. Some of these include:

1. Reyle - This variant is most commonly found in France, though it may also be present in other French-speaking countries or communities.
2. Real - This spelling is predominantly used in Spanish-speaking regions but can also appear among German-speaking populations.
3. Riel - Pronounced similarly to "Reil," this variant has a slightly different origin and is most common among people of Jewish descent, particularly those from Ashkenazi backgrounds.
4. Rayl - A less common spelling that may be found in English-speaking countries or communities.
5. Reyll - This is a rare variant that might be encountered in German-speaking regions.
6. Ryel - Another uncommon spelling that could potentially be found among English speakers.
7. Riell - A less frequent spelling, this variation may appear among Italian or French populations.

Famous people with the last name Reil

Notable individuals bearing the surname Reil include:

1. Richard Dedekind Reil (1759-1813), a German psychiatrist and co-founder of the Berlin Society for the Acquired Improvement of the Human Understanding, who is often considered one of the founders of modern psychiatry.

2. Johann Christian Reil (1789-1854), a German physician and natural scientist, also known as the "father of forensic medicine" for his work in the field of legal medicine.

3. Robert H. Reil (1926-2015), an American physicist and academic administrator, who served as the Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles from 1980 to 1990.

4. Michael Reil (born 1953), a German actor, known for his roles in movies such as "The NeverEnding Story" and "The White Ribbon".

5. Sarah Reil (born 1993), a German racing cyclist, who won the German National Road Race Championships in 2017.

Genealogical research on the last name Reil

The surname Reil is of German origin and is believed to have derived from various locations in Germany, such as Reilsheim and Reuthlingen in Württemberg, or Rheldorf in Rhineland-Palatinate. The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears to be "Reidel" in the mid-14th century. Over time, the surname spread across Europe due to migrations and settlement patterns, including movements to Scandinavia, Russia, and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. In North America, the Reil family was among those who emigrated during the 18th and 19th centuries in search of religious freedom or economic opportunities, with notable groups settling in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other parts of the United States and Canada. Notable individuals with the surname include Karl Friedrich Burdach-Reil, a German physician and botanist, and Charles Augustus Reil, an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Reiaj (Last name)

surnames > reiaj

The last name "Reiaj" does not have a specific origin or meaning in English. It is not a common surname and may be a variant spelling or a rare surname with unknown origins.

Reiarfi (Last name)

surnames > reiarfi

The last name Reiarfi appears to have origins in Iceland. It is likely a variation of an Icelandic surname, possibly derived from a combination of the Icelandic words "reiði" mean...

Reichel (Last name)

surnames > reichel

The surname Reichel is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "reiche," which means rich or wealthy. The name was often given to someone who lived near a ...

Reichenbach (Last name)

surnames > reichenbach

The surname Reichenbach is of German origin. It is derived from the German words "reich," meaning "rich" or "wealthy," and "bach," meaning "stream" or "brook." This surname likely ...

Reicher (Last name)

surnames > reicher

The surname "Reicher" has German origins. It is derived from the Middle High German word "reih," meaning row, rank or line, and the suffix "-er," denoting a person who does somethi...

Reichert (Last name)

surnames > reichert

The surname "Reichert" is of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Ricohard," which means "powerful ruler" or "brave ruler." The name was composed of the el...

Reichle (Last name)

surnames > reichle

The surname Reichle is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "reiche" which means rich or powerful. It was originally a nickname for someone who was wealthy or...

Reichling (Last name)

surnames > reichling

The surname Reichling is of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "reich," meaning rich, powerful, or noble, and "-ing" which was a common suffix in medieval G...

Reichow (Last name)

surnames > reichow

The last name Reichow is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname Reiche, which means "rich" or "wealthy" in German. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone wh...

Reiff (Last name)

surnames > reiff

The surname Reiff is of German origin. It is derived from various place names and personal names in Germany, primarily from the Old High German "riu" meaning "river" or "stream" an...

Reifrom (Last name)

surnames > reifrom

The last name Reifrom is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname Reif, which means "ripe" or "mature" in German. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was con...

Reifs (Last name)

surnames > reifs

The surname Reifs is of German origin. It is a habitational name derived from any of numerous small places so named in Germany. These locations are typically named for a field or c...

Reig (Last name)

surnames > reig

The surname Reig (also spelled as Rey, Ray, Rhea, etc.) is of Old French and Germanic origins. It originally comes from the Old High German "reihh" or the Old French "rei," which b...

Reigo (Last name)

surnames > reigo

The last name "Reigo" is of Estonian origin. It is derived from the personal name Reigo, which in turn originated from the old Estonian name Räägu.

Reihan (Last name)

surnames > reihan

The last name Reihan is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "rayhan," which means "sweet-scented herb" or "fragrant plant."