Family name origins & meanings
- South German : occupational name for a linen measurer, from Middle High German reif, a measure of length for linen.
- South German : occupational name for a maker of rope, Reifschläger, or for the owner of a tavern (see Reiff).
- South German (Tyrol) : topographic name for someone living at a landing place, from Romansh riva ‘riverbank’.
- Jewish (Ashkenazic) : ornamental name or nickname from the inflected form of German reif ‘mature’.