Surname Reichelt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Discovering My Identity: A Journey Through My Reichelt Lineage - Illuminated by iGENEA DNA Test
The results of my iGENEA DNA test, which revealed the fascinating history of my ancestors, the Reichelts, have profoundly changed my perception of myself. I realized how my preferences and habits were significantly influenced by my genetic roots. This newfound understanding has brought me closer to my past, providing a more profound sense of identity and inspiring me to continue researching my rich family history.
A. Reichelt
read moreReichelt: What does the surname Reichelt mean?
The surname Reichelt is of German origin. It is an occupational surname that derives from the Old Germanic "rech" meaning "rich" or "ruler", and "-hilt", meaning "enabled by". Therefore, someone with the surname Reichelt could have been a rich or powerful ruler, or a wealthy or influential member of their community.
The surname Reichelt became well-known in the 18th and 19th centuries as a ranking family in the German state of Silesia. It is also a common surname in the Czech Republic and other areas of Central Europe, such as Austria.
In German, the name Riechelt has come to represent wealth, leadership, and perhaps a bit of aristocracy, which can make it quite a prestigious name to bear. With its potential roots in being a wealthy or powerful individual, the surname Reichelt has held a venerable reputation and continues to be a common surname in Germany and abroad.
It is also believed that the surname Reichelt is derived from the place names Reichelt and Reicheltburg (Reichelt Castle) in the region of Silesia. It's also possible that Reichelt may have been the surnames of relatives who lived in addition to those connected to Reichelt Castle, or others from the region that took the name.
Another possible origin of the surname Reichelt is a combination of the name Richard with the suffix -hilt, meaning "enabled by". This suggests that a person with the surname Reichelt may have been the son of a Richard, and carried his father's name.
Whichever origin is correct, those bearing the surname Reichelt inherit a proud legacy and can find comfort in the fact that their name was likely associated with wealth, power, and prestige.
Order DNA origin analysisReichelt: Where does the name Reichelt come from?
The last name Reichelt is common today primarily in the countries of Germany, Austria, and the United States. Reichelt is one of the more popular surnames in Germany and Austria. According to the 1990 German Census, it was the 223rd most common surname in Germany at the time.
In the United States, Reichelt is the 24,384th most common surname as of 2020, according to data from the US census bureau. It is not as popular as it is in Germany and Austria, but it does still show up in the US population.
Immigrants from Germany and Austria who first came to the United States in the 19th century are thought to be responsible for bringing the surname Reichelt to the United States. This is common with many ethnic surnames, as immigrants bring their name with them when they came to new countries.
The surname Reichelt remains one of the more popular German and Austrian surnames in the world today, with a growing presence in the United States as well. It is a reminder of those who once made the arduous journey to begin new lives in the US and a testament to the strength of the name over time.
Variations of the surname Reichelt
The surname Reichelt (or Reichlert/Reichel/Reichle/Reighley/Reichley/Riechle, etc.) is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. It is a German and Dutch surname which originated in the Rhine-Main region in Germany. The words "Reich" (noble) and "Elt/Eld" (old) are combined to form the meaning "old noble".
Variations of Reichelt include Reichlert, Reichel, Reichle, Reighley, Reichley, and Riechle. The use of the "i" instead of the "l" and the double "hh" are common variations.
Reichelt is of German ancestral origin, and there is a small population of Reichelts in the US, Australia, and the UK. Reichelts tend to have high education levels and many are employed in higher-end occupations.
There is also a variation of the last name without the 't' sound at the end, Reichel. Reichel is a variation of the surname which developed in the former Czechoslovakia, where the name was often written as Reichelt. This spelling has also been seen in records from Hungary, as well as from other West-Central European countries.
Other variations of Reichelt include Reicheld, Reicheldt, Reichl, Reigler, Reichlie, Reicheberg, Riechel, and Reichlt. In addition to the German and Dutch variations of the surname, there is also a variation of the surname which developed in the former Czechoslovakia, where the name was often written as Reichl. This variation was also seen in records from Hungary, as well as from other West-Central European countries.
Overall, Reichelt is a patronymic German surname derived from the words "Reich" (noble) and "Elt/Eld" (old). It has multiple variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin, and its variants are found in countries such as Germany, the US, Australia, the UK, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.
Famous people with the name Reichelt
- Erik Reichelt, German composer
- Tim Reichelt, German income strategist and publisher
- Alexander Reichelt, German rower
- Jochen Reichelt, German sculptor
- Lars Reichelt, German footballer
- Dvořák Reichelt, Czech former cross-country skier
- Özak Reichelt, German team handball player
- Charles Balthazar Julius Reichelt, German landscape painter
- Louis Reichelt, American musician
- Luciano Reichelt, Argentinian musician, composer, and record producer
- Paul Reichelt, German former football player
- Youri Reichelt, Belgian footballer
- Marko Reichelt, German swimmer
- Lina Reichelt, German Olympic athlete and silver medalist
- Manfred Reichelt, German former ski jumper
- Fabian Reichelt, German electronic musician
- Sol Reichelt, Canadian architect
- Werner Reichelt, German former professional ski jumper
- Anton Reichelt, German painter
- Regina Reichelt, a German Councilwoman for the Social Democratic Party