Surname Rigerl - Meaning and Origin

Rigerl: What does the surname Rigerl mean?

The last name Rigerl is believed to be of German origin, and is derived from either the Old German word “rigol” or the Middle High German word “rigel” – both words meaning "ridge". It is likely that this name was originally given to someone who lived near or on a ridge.

Over time, this surname evolved into other spellings, such as Riggerl and Riegel. These variations of the same surname are commonly found in Austrian, Bavarian and South German regions.

Today, some Rigerl families still live in the same regions their ancestors did, while many have migrated to different countries. For example, some have moved to the United States in search of better economic opportunities and have settled in Texas, California, and other parts of the country.

The Rigerl surname is still quite common in Europe and North America, and is held by around 2,200 people globally. It is said that the meaning of the name remains true to the original - an individual from a ridge. It is also possible that the surname was given to someone who lived in a town on a ridge or near a hill.

Rigerl: Where does the name Rigerl come from?

The last name Rigerl is believed to be of German origin, and is still quite common in German-speaking countries today. It is also popular in Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands. Records of the surname date back to the 1500s when the spelling was similar to Riegel. By the 1800s, it had evolved to its modern spelling.

Today, the surname Rigerl is particularly common in Germany’s Bavarian region, where an estimated 100,000 people carry it. The surname is also relatively popular in Austria, where it is estimated that over 10,000 people use the surname, as well as in Switzerland, where it is believed to be used by roughly 3,000 people.

In terms of the Netherlands, the surname is comparatively rare, with estimates suggesting only a few hundred people use it. However, there is a significant population of people with the surname in the German-speaking areas of Limburg, in the southeasternmost corner of the Netherlands.

In the United States, statistics suggest the surname Rigerl is also relatively rare, with less than 500 people using it. This is unsurprising owing to the lack of German immigration to the United States, with the majority of German immigrants arriving in the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Overall, the last name Rigerl today is most common in German-speaking countries, such as Germany and Austria, as well as parts of Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Variations of the surname Rigerl

The surname Rigerl is of German origin and most commonly found in Austria. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same etymology can include Rigerle, Riegerl, and Reigerl.

The spelling Rigerl is a combination of the German words rei (‘row’ or ‘series’) and ger (‘spear’). As such, it is likely that the original Rigerl surname was derived from a single ancestor who was known for having some type of weapon—a spear—used in a series or row.

Variants of Rigerl include Rigerle, which is an Early Modern German form of the surname, in which the spelling of Riger is changed to include an additional ‘e’ at the end, likely to signify the gender of the original bearer of the name, which is usually believed to be male.

Another variant is Riegerl, which is an alternate variant spelling of the surname Rigerl, where the ‘e’ is added to the middle of the surname, likely to represent the proportions of the spearmen in a tactical formation

The Reigerl variant is the most common variant form of the surname Rigerl, however, it is mainly found in the areas of Austria and Bavaria. This variant likely combines the German words rei (‘series’) and ger (‘spear’) to form a shortened version of the original surname.

Rigerl is also a surname seen in parts of Poland, Romania, and Czech Republic. The surnames relating to Rigerl could include Rigel, Reigerle, Riegele, and Reigle.

In summary, Rigerl is a German surname of German origin and variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin could include Rigerle, Riegerl, Reigerl, Rigel, Reigerle, Riegele, and Reigle. The surname is generally believed to have been derived from a single ancestor who was known for having a weapon, such as a spear, used in a series or row.

Famous people with the name Rigerl

• Robin Rigler: American television actress.
• Friedl Rigerl: Austrian writer, journalist, and historian.
• Rob Riggle: American actor, comedian, and retired United States Marine Corps Reserve officer.
• Vladimír Rigler: Czechoslovakian water polo player, Olympic medalist, and coach.
• Henricus Rigler: German philosopher and physician.
• Michael Rigler: Austrian composer and piano musician.
• Karl Rigger: Austrian painter, illustrator, and graphic artist.
• Ernst Rigerl: Austrian sculptor and visual artist.
• Paul Rigerl: German theater and television actor.
• Steven Rigler: American photographer and visual artist.

Other surnames

RigerRigermann