This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Rainier family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Rainier Family History

Rainier Surname Meaning

Altered form of French Regnier a cognate of 2 below. Compare Rainear Rainer Rinear Rineer and Rinier.

In some cases possibly also French: from the personal name Rainier from ancient Germanic Raginhari composed of the elements ragin ‘counsel’ and hari ‘army’.

This surname which is a variant of Reinier is very rare in France.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Rainier family from?

You can see how Rainier families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rainier family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Rainier families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 3 Rainier families living in Lancashire. This was about 23% of all the recorded Rainier's in United Kingdom. Lancashire and 2 other counties had the highest population of Rainier families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rainier surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Rainier ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Private Means was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Rainier. 60% of Rainier women worked as a Private Means.

View Census Data for Rainier | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Private Means
    60%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    40%

What Rainier family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Rainier. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rainier census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Rainier

Passenger Lists

There are 574 immigration records available for the last name Rainier. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Rainier immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Rainier. For the veterans among your Rainier ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rainier military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rainier family history

Discover More

What is the average Rainier lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Rainier life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1975, and highest in 1979. The average life expectancy for Rainier in 1960 was 54, and 76 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rainier

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Rainier ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Rainier family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial