In German-speaking countries, most of the benches can be found in Kraichgau and in the Neckarland in Baden-Württemberg, where a total of around 140 such objects have been documented. There are more than 50 so-called Gruhen in the Ludwigsburg district alone. In Stuttgart, the name of the Ruhbank (TV Tower) tram stop is reminiscent of such a facility. It is located in an exposed location on Mount Bopser. There is a modern replica of an old Gruhe at the stop. Swabian terms such as Gruobbank, Grubbank, Gruabets, Gruhe, Grue, Gruobe, Gruge, Krugbank or Krugstatt are probably derived from Geruhbank.
Several dozen so-called Napoleon's benches have been preserved in northern Alsace. Around 20 of these benches were erected in 1811/12 on the occasion of the birth of Napoléon-François-Joseph-Charles Bonaparte, for example between Wissembourg and Lembach, west of Surbourg, near Frœschwiller and near Rœschwoog. Numerous other copies were made in 1854 to commemorate the wedding of Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III. set up. The Alsatians called it Nabele Bänk (derived from Napoleon's bench). This name is also common in the neighboring Palatinate. In Pirmasens, the Ruhbank district takes its name from a bank in the old town center. In 1948 a new bench was built there again. The name Brückenbank has also been handed down in Rheinhessen.
In the Eifel and Neuwied Basin, Ruhsteine are called Räst, Rest or Sitz.[9] The basalt lava used there, which is considered extremely weather-resistant, suggests that the oldest benches have been preserved here. However, due to the lack of documentation, this cannot be proven.
The name Ruh is common in Hesse, as is still remembered by field names such as An der Ruh, Bei der Ruh or Ruhacker. The term Mahnstein, used in the Hanau and Frankfurt areas up to the Rheingau, is reminiscent of so-called Mahne or Manne, regional words for back carrying.
Many examples or corresponding field or street names such as Am Ruhstein or Ruhsteinweg can also be found in Upper and Middle Franconia. Objects that still exist, some from the 16th and 17th centuries, can be found, among others, in the Upper Franconian communities of Effeltrich, Hetzles, Langensendelbach, Mitwitz, Schneckenlohe, in the Middle Franconian cities of Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen, Höchstadt an der Aisch or in the Municipalities of Veitsbronn and Schwanstetten.