Surname Risher - Meaning and Origin
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Risher: What does the surname Risher mean?
The last name Risher comes from a Germanic word meaning “rider” or “springer”. The origins of this surname probably lie in the fact that either the bearer was an ancestor who was a mounted soldier, or had a horse-related trade like horse-tailor or farrier.
Risher is also an uncommon variation of the last name Rössler, which was derived from the Middle English word “ross”, meaning horse. It was typically used to denote a horseman or a horse-related profession in Germany.
As both Risher and Rössler were derived from the same origins, the name is generally associated with horsemanship and horse culture. People with the last name Risher or Rössler often have an affinity for being close to horses, whether it’s owning them, riding them, working with them, or watching them.
This affinity goes beyond having a horse-related profession or life, however; it’s also linked with a love of the outdoors and nature, since people with these last names were often outdoors with their horses. People with Risher or Rössler last names might also have a special fondness for taking trips to the mountains or countryside because of the long-held tradition of horse riding and owning horses.
Order DNA origin analysisRisher: Where does the name Risher come from?
The last name Risher is most common in the United States. According to a 2020 US census, Risher was rated the 1978th most common last name in the USA. It is also fairly common in the United Kingdom and Ireland. England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have also seen a steady increase in the frequency of this surname.
Risher is an occupational name, derived from the Old English meaning "one who risheth." It was most likely a surname for one who gathered materials for fences and hedges, such as branches and or small trees. This occupation was, in turn, derived from the Old Norse word "risa," meaning to rub and scrape.
Today, the Risher surname is distributed across the United States, with the most frequent concentration of people bearing this surname being the southeast, including the states of South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. As the nature of names in the US continues to change, so too will the commonalities of Risher. It is a part of the ever-evolving migratory pattern, and while today it is becoming more and more commonplace, its unique history is still interesting and worth noting.
Variations of the surname Risher
Risher is a surname with numerous variants and spellings including: Rishell, Reissel, Reshel, Reichel, Reishel, Reschle, Riceller, Ressell, Ricell, Ressel, Ryschel, Reschil, Rychel, Reishl, Rychell, Rischl, Reishelt, Rishley, Ryshell, Rishal, Reishal, Rishall, Richal, Richell, Richall, Reischl, Richle, Reichell, Reischle, Reecell, Reychell, Rishl, Reecel and Reeshaw.
Risher is a rare family name that is believed to be of German and English origin. The name was originally derived from the Middle High German word “ris” meaning “rush” or “quickly”, and was likely an occupational name for individuals who either lived near a swamp or were generals who had to move their troops quickly when called into battle. It is thought that the name may have been acquired by an important family in Europe during the Middle Ages, and that the variants began to appear as it spread to other countries.
Variants of the Risher surname can also be found in North America and other parts of the world. In America, the spelling variants of Risher can include Reese, Russ, Reisch, Rysch, Reesh, Raisch and Rych, among others. Though the origin of some of the variant spellings remains unclear, it is likely that the alteration in spelling occurred as a result of language and dialectal differences and as a means of local identification.
Risher is found in a number of regions, and in many countries outside of Europe including South Africa, India, and Pakistan. In some countries, the spelling of this surname has changed to accommodate local spellings or pronunciations, and can include Risar, Rasm, Rush, Ruska and Rashar.
Overall, Risher is a surname with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The presence of the name in numerous countries further cements its roots as a Medieval European surname.
Famous people with the name Risher
- Ryan Risher: Professional golfer and former member of the Texas Christian University men’s golf team.
- Robert Risher: Actor, best known for his roles in the films Casual Encounters and The Covenant.
- Kyle Risher: Professional basketball player, currently playing for the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League.
- Percy Risher: Retired United States Army four-star general who served as the 26th Chief of Staff of the Army.
- Jared Risher: Former baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox.
- Jonathan Risher: Music producer, television producer, and occasional guest star in films and television shows.
- Paul Risher: Jazz and classical pianist, composer, producer, and educator.
- Charlie Risher: Former American football player who played five seasons in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Sasha Risher: Writer, public relations specialist, communications expert, millennial entrepreneur, and proud Filipino.
- Ella Risher: Actress, best known for her role in the movie Spiderman: Homecoming.