Surname Reicharts - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reicharts: What does the surname Reicharts mean?
The last name Reicharts is an occupational name, and typically found in Germany or Austria. It is derived from the German word reich, meaning ‘rich’ and aarts, which means ‘lord’ or ‘master’. It is likely a surname associated with a wealthy family, or more particularly may have denoted a merchant that sold expensive goods.
The Reicharts surname could also be related to the name Reichard and is thought to derive from a medieval German noun Erhart. This was a female or male name, and was related to an old Germanic verb er, meaning ‘courage’.
The surname Reicharts is not uncommon and there are many modern day bearers of the name. It can be found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, Canada, Austria, Israel and Australia.
Regardless of where it is found, Reicharts is an interesting name that embodies wealth, courage and a sense of nobility. All of these are traits that any family would be proud of and likely represent the values of those who bear the name.
Order DNA origin analysisReicharts: Where does the name Reicharts come from?
The surname Reicharts is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the website Forebears, an online resource for surname distributions worldwide, the name is particularly popular in the state of Bavaria, ranking 3rd in popularity in the district of Berchtesgaden and 14th in the whole state. The name is also found in many other parts of Germany including towns such as Eppelborn and Schirgiswalde-Kirschau.
Elsewhere around the world, the Reicharts surname is found in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, France and the United States. The website Forebears indicates that currently, the highest concentration of the name is found in the US state of Oregon, with the Reicharts surname being ranked 181st in popularity. Other states with populations of people bearing the Reicharts surname include Wisconsin, Texas, New York, Minnesota, and others.
Interestingly, Reicharts is one of the few German surnames which begin with “Reic” (“rich”) that has not changed its spelling over time. This means that there have likely been generations of families bearing the name Reicharts, maintaining its singular spelling and germandom.
Variations of the surname Reicharts
The Reicharts surname is a common German name with multiple variants spelling and forms, including Reichert, Reicherts, Reichard, Reicherd, Rechards, Reichhard, Reicherds, Richart, Reicherrt, Reichhardt, Reichert, and Reichardt.
In some cases, the Johannus surname has also become associated with the original Reicharts surname during the past several centuries, and usually result when a male ancestor inherited both surnames in succession.
Origins of the Reicharts name can be traced to the Middle High German words ric and hart, meaning "strong" and "hardy" respectively; combined, Ric-hart equates to a meaning of strength and hardiness.
The various forms of the original Reicharts surname were likely originally adopted as a means of distinguishing between members of the same family, similar to how a given name might differentiate various members of a larger family tree.
In America, the Reicharts family crest includes a black eagle with spread wings on a gold background, which is topped by a crown. The black eagle is a traditional symbol of strength and power, which serves as an appropriate representation of the family name's meaning.
In Germany, the Reichart family crest includes a castle with two ivy vines on either side, which is enclosed by a baroque frame. The castle is a reminder of the family's strong and resilient roots; while the ivy represents strength and endurance. Additionally, the baroque frame represents the family's rich history.
Famous people with the name Reicharts
- Rick Recht, American singer/songwriter
- Florian Reichart, German professional footballer
- Kurt Reichardt, German actor
- Johannes Reichart, German actor
- Clemens August Reichardt, German zoologist
- Monika Reichart, German politician
- J. Johannes Reichardt, German agricultural scientist
- Nina Reichart, German theater actress
- Julius Reichardt, German composer
- Dietmar Reichardt, Swiss journalist