Surname Rieckel - Meaning and Origin
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Rieckel: What does the surname Rieckel mean?
The last name Rieckel is of Germanic origin. It most likely dates back to the days of the early Franks when a family was named after a size or rapids along a river. The meaning of the name is derived from the Middle Low German word "reckel" which means "rapids". It is likely that the family was given this name because of their proximity to, or residence near such a river and rapids.
The Rieckel family name is found in numerous records from 13th century Germany. It is thought that the family lived in an area along the banks of the Rhine River called Recklinghausen, in what is now the German state of North Rhine Westphalia. Over time, the family earned a reputation for military service with the German Reich, playing an important role in the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the occupation of the Sudetenland during World War II.
The Rieckel family has made its mark over the centuries and today, its name is associated with respect and honor. The family is proud of its heritage and continues to perpetuate its Germanic roots through honoring traditional values such as loyalty, commitment and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisRieckel: Where does the name Rieckel come from?
The last name Rieckel is common in Germany, especially in the western part of the country. It is also found in some parts of Austria, especially in Upper Austria. Additionally, it is also common in Luxembourg, which borders Germany and Austria. It is even found in countries as far away as the United States, with Rieckel families residing in Missouri, Arizona, and other states.
In Germany, the Rieckel name has been around for centuries, and is often found alongside other Germanic last names like Rosenkranz, Bender, Schreiner, and König. The earliest known recordings of the name date back to the 1500s, and today it can be found all over the country, ranging from Baden-Württemberg in the south to North and Lower Rhine in the Northwest.
In Austria, the name is most common in Upper Austria, a state that has a lot of its population living near the German border. While the Austrian version of the name is Rieckelsauer, the spelling and pronunciation is the same as in Germany.
The Rieckel name is even found in the United States. Immigration records show that several families who bore the name settled in Missouri, Arizona, Wisconsin, and other states in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, the last name Rieckel is scattered all over the globe. While the name is most common in Germany and Austria, it can even be found in the United States. Generations of Rieckels have migrated and spread the name far and wide and it is likely that it will continue to do so in years to come.
Variations of the surname Rieckel
The surname Rieckel is an Old Germanic surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the pre 7th century word ‘ric’ meaning power, and the suffix ‘heil’ which means family or tribe, hence Rieckel translates as ‘family of power’.
Variations of the name in spelling and pronunciation can include Reichel, Reicke, Reckel, Reikel, Rickel, Reikle, and Rechel. Regional variants include Reckels, Reichels, Reickels, Reickels, Rickels, andRyckel.
Surnames derived from the same origin include Rickle, Reichle, Rice, Reich, Reichard, Riches, Reichelt, Reichers, Reaken, Reakman, Rickenbacker, Rickell, Richardson, Ricker, Rich, and Rieke.
The surname has been widely recorded in German Church Registers since the late 15th century, often under several variants of the same spelling. In the modern era, the surname is predominantly found in the United States and Germany, but is widely spread throughout other regions of the world, such as Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The earliest recorded bearer of the surname was Endreich Rychel in 1374, whilst in England, the earliest recorded holder was Thomas Reichel, documented in the 1445 Subsidy Rolls of Essex. Additionally, Andreas Rieckel was recorded in Germany around this same period.
Famous people with the name Rieckel
- Rick Riecken: Politician, former Speaker Pro Tempore of the Colorado House of Representatives
- Rick Reichel: Professional ice hockey player
- Luis Reickel: Argentinian writer and poet
- Madeleine Marie Reickel: French architect
- Karl Reichel: German philosopher
- Al Rieck: American Football player
- Christian Rieck: German physicist and educator
- Andreas Rieck: German entrepreneur and musician
- Dagny Reichel: Singer-songwriter from Norway
- Jerry Rieckel: American baseball player