Surname Riegal - Meaning and Origin
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Riegal: What does the surname Riegal mean?
The surname Riegal is believed to be of German origin derived from the personal name Rieger, which means “counselor” or “advocate.” Riegal is a variant spelling of the name with certain spellings gaining popular use over time, such as the English spelling Rigal and the Yiddish spelling Rigal.
The surname Riegal is found in records mainly from German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Holland. Additionally, many Jews adopted the surname Rigal, as it was fairly common among Ashkenazi Jews.
Registry books were kept starting in the late 14th century, and these can help trace the possible origin of the name, as they often had the place of origin listed with the name. Originally, the name was likely formed when a person who lived or worked as a counselor or advocate was given the name as a nickname.
The suggestion has been made that the last name may also have had some connection to the Reiger wildcat, so called after its 18th century German discoverer, Johann %u201CHeinrich Reiger. It is unclear, however, whether the surname was related to the wildcat or simply adopted for the same reasons as other surnames were named; that is for their geographical location or profession.
In modern times, the surname Riegal is fairly rare, and not many people in the United States bear the name. As such, it is likely that anyone with the surname Riegal is likely descended from German or Jewish settlers who immigrated to American shores centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisRiegal: Where does the name Riegal come from?
The last name Riegal is a Jewish Ashkenazic name that originates from the Rhineland in West Germany, an area that was historically populated by Jews known as the Rhineland Jews. The name can also be traced back to Poland and Russia. Today, the last name Riegal is most commonly found in Israel. Jews from all over the world have immigrated to Israel, bringing their surnames with them. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2020 there were over 6.8 million Jewish people living in Israel, making up more than 77% of the population. While there are Riegeks in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, since 1985, Israel has been the primary destination of migration for Jews from all over the world. As a result, the last name Riegal is more prevalent in Israel than it is in other countries.
While the exact origin of the last name Riegal is difficult to pinpoint, it is generally accepted that it is of German origin. The meaning of the name is likely derived from the German word ‘regal’, which means ‘royal’. Today, the name remains a popular surname among Jewish families living in Israel, and other countries with large Jewish populations.
Variations of the surname Riegal
The surname Riegal is of German origin with many variations and alternate spellings, including Regal, Reagal, Regele, Reegel, Reigal, Reigel, and Riegel. Some of the spelling variations are simply the result of transposition of letters in the surname, while others are a result of different languages where the name is spelled phonetically. In East Prussia, Reegel was a common variant. Depending on the country, the variation of the surname may have different meanings. In Czech, Reigal, Riegel, and Reagal are of patronymic origin, meaning "son of Reigel". In German Reegel is a short form of Rainreigel, meaning "armour". In Yiddish, Rigal means "king."
Variations and descendants of Riegal may have also adapted to their countries of residence by changing the spelling or pronunciation of their name, for example Riggle, Ruggles, Ruggs, Rugal, and Regels. In other cases, the surname may have been affected by foreign and religious influences, with variations such as Regalo, Regelman and Raygal.
The variations and descendants of the Riegal surname can also be found in other countries such as France, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and North and South America. Examples in France include Rougelet, Rougette, Rugel, Reigelle, Reigel, and Reigoulet. In Spain the variations include Regla and Rigal. In Holland, Riegel and Reigel are present. In the United Kingdom examples are Ruggles, Rugg, Rugal, and Regels, while in the United States Riggle, Ruggles, Rugg, Regal, Reagal, and Raygal are all present.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name Riegal, from different countries and cultures, with sometimes differing meanings and interpretations.
Famous people with the name Riegal
- Benjamin Riegal: an American real estate developer, businessman, investor, and philanthropist.
- Isaac Riegal: a German-Jewish businessman and entrepreneur who was influential in the founding of the Rheinische Maschinenfabrik AG, now known as Rheinmetall AG.
- Sidney Riegal: an American judge and lawyer who held political offices including state senator from Jersey City and chairman of the Hudson County Republican party's county committee.
- Louis Riegal: a German lawyer and senior official who was influential in Berlin's cultural and political life during the Weimar period.
- Rae Riegal: an American lawyer and politician, and one of the first women to serve in the New York State Senate, representing Oneonta, New York.
- Lily Mae Riegal: an American writer and artist, best known for her works on Jewish history and culture.
- Isaac Riegal Jr.: an American lawyer and businessman who served as the chief financial officer and treasurer of the Riegal Estate.
- David Riegal: an American lawyer and real estate mogul, active in developing property in New York City.
- Abraham Riegal: a German-Jewish industrialist, banker, and philanthropist.
- Rodney Riegal: an American entrepreneur and investor, often credited with helping to popularize the concept of venture capital.