Surname Riekes - Meaning and Origin
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Riekes: What does the surname Riekes mean?
The last name Riekes is derived from German ancestry and has its roots in the Middle Ages. It is thought to have come from the medieval German given name 'Ricard' meaning 'brave power.' It is believed the first recorded bearer of the name was Ricardus de Recche, who lived in 1245.
The name could also have been derived from the Middle High German words ‘rih’ (rich) and ‘kese’ (cheesemonger). In this case it would have been a descriptive last name given to someone who worked in the cheese industry.
The surname is most predominately found in northern Germany. It is also quite common throughout parts of the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Minnesota.
Today, the most popular spelling of the name in the US is Riekes, although there are also variants such as Reicks, Rieks, Reiches, etc.
In contemporary times, the Riekes family has been associated with many notable figures in the fields of politics, business, and the arts. People who share the surname include aviator Dieter Riek, astronomer Viktor Rieke, Iowa State Legislator Daniel Riekes, and entrepreneur Eugene H. Riekes Jr.
The Riekes family name holds a legacy of strength and courage, as well as resilience and ambition. It is a name that still holds great pride and respect today.
Order DNA origin analysisRiekes: Where does the name Riekes come from?
The last name Riekes is most common in Germany and is derived from the German name Rieke. It is most common in the North German states, with the highest population residing in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in the northwest. Outside of Germany, the name is primarily found in the United States, Canada, Netherlands, and Austria. In the U.S., most people with the Riekes surname live in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In Canada, the name Riekes is mostly found in the provinces of Alberta and Northwest Territories.
The most common professions for people with the Riekes name are engineering, computing, law, teaching, and research. Many Riekes family members have achieved professional success in these fields. Within the Riekes family itself, many have taken up professions such as engineering, business, and health. Others have gone on to college and university to pursue further degrees.
People with the Riekes surname tend to be tightly knit, supportive, and hardworking individuals who come together as a family and value education. They are proud of their heritage and strive to develop their own unique and individual strengths. Often, the majority of family members join the same field of endeavors, such as engineering or business, in order to keep the family bonds strong.
Variations of the surname Riekes
The surname Riekes has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants can be used interchangeably, depending on the country of origin.
Variants of the surname Riekes include Reikes, Reecks, Reeckes, ReeKes, Reickes, ReeKs, Riikke, and Rieks. Spelling variations include Reike, Reik, Reicke, Reick, Riek, Reikes, Ricke, Riecke, Ryke, Ryck, Reich, Rieck, Rieckmann, and Rich.
Surnames that are of similar origin to the name Riekes include Ricke, Rieckmann, Reichenbach, Reichenberg, Reichert, Reiff, Reigner, Ramsauer, and Reichart. Other surnames related to Riekes include Riecken, Rieckmann, Reihm, Reimann, and Reimer.
The name Riekes is German in origin, likely stemming from the Middle High German word “riche," meaning “rich man” or “nobleman.” It is generally found most frequently in the areas of Bavaria, Hesse, and Berlin.
Famous people with the name Riekes
- Tom Riekes: professional American football player.
- Michael Riekes: military officer and former president of the American Jewish Congress.
- May Riekes: American physicist and the first female professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Henry Jacob Riekes– entrepreneur and philanthropist, former vice-president of the Carnegie Corporation.
- Tyler Riekes: YouTuber, actor, and gamer, known for his channel, iJustine.
- Mark Riekes: former partner at American venture capital firm NEA and vice-president at Google Ventures.
- Nick Riekes: former Director of Marketing at tech company Bitly.
- Lee Riekes: cardiologist and pioneer in the cardiovascular imaging field.
- George Riekes: hedge fund manager, managing partner at Riekes Capital Partners.
- Julie Riekes: German-born fashion designer based in New York City.