Surname Reicherds - Meaning and Origin
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Reicherds: What does the surname Reicherds mean?
Reicherds is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “richert,” meaning “brave, strong soldier.” This name is closely related to the Dutch, German, and Scandinavian variations of the name, such as Reichert and Reichardt.
The main bearer of the family name is Johann Philip Reicherts, a German theologian born in 1685. Johann Philip Reicherts was a prominent leader among German Protestant clergy in the 1700s. He is known for his pioneering work in defending the doctrine of the real presence of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
The surname Reicherds is found among ethnic Germans in Europe, and also holds some presence in North America due to the many German immigrants that settled in the United States in the 19th century.
Overall, Reicherds is a proud surname, connoting bravery and strength and closely connected to the Protestant Reformation in Germany. A bearer of the Reicherds name should feel a sense of honor in being a descendant of Johann Philip Reicherts and the many Reicherds that came before him.
Order DNA origin analysisReicherds: Where does the name Reicherds come from?
The last name Reicherds is common in many countries today, particularly in Europe. Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium each have concentrations of Reicherds, due to their historical ties. In Germany, the name can be found mainly within the regions along the Rhine River and the Rhineland, suggesting that its origins are there. In the Netherlands, the Reicherds are concentrated near the border of Germany, in the regions of Limburg and Noord-Brabant. The name is also found in Belgium in the regions along the Dutch-German border, particularly in the region of Flanders.
On a global scale, Reicherds can also be found in the United States and Canada. In the US, the name is most commonly found in states such as California, Texas, and New York. Many of the Reicherds in these areas are descended from German immigrants who came to the US following World War II. In Canada, the distribution is more concentrated in the country’s Western provinces, where the name is found mainly in British Columbia and Alberta.
The last name Reicherds is not only found in Europe and North America. Australia and New Zealand also have concentrations of Reicherds, mainly stemming from immigration in the 1950s and 1960s from Europe. It can also be found in throughout Latin America, particularly in countries such as Mexico and Brazil, where many of the Reicherds are descendants of German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Reicherds
The surname Reicherds has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Reicherds, but a variety of others exist, such as Reichards, Reichert, Reicher, Reichardt, Reicherd, Reichert, and Reichhard. These spellings can be found throughout the United States and Europe.
The origin of Reicherds is believed to be German. The root word "Reich" originated from the high and mighty rulers of Europe in the Middle Ages. These rulers held lands that stretched throughout Europe, including Germany. People of the lower social classes would adopt the name of the lord of their estate as their own, often just adopting the suffix "hard," or "hardt," to the modified name. As such, the surname Reicherds was likely formed from the name of the local lord, and eventually passed down to the lowest social classes.
Reicherds is also thought to have been derived from the word "rich," which was derived from Old English and Old French. This version of the word developed in the Middle Ages, denoting those with wealth. It is believed that those who came from wealthy families adopted this version of the name, adding "er(s)" as a suffix to the modified version.
In some cases, the spelling of Reicherds may have been altered by immigration to the United States or other countries. The migration process often involved changing spellings or adding new surnames to accommodate language differences. While many of the variants remain, some have evolved into completely different names over time.
Famous people with the name Reicherds
- Otto Reicherds: German former footballer and manager of professional club formation at the German Football Association.
- Carlos Reicherds: Argentine former football midfielder.
- Keith Reicherds: American venture capitalist and corporate executive.
- Michael Reicherds: Austrian Olympic silver medalist in Rugby Union.
- Carla Reicherds: German professional classical pianist.
- Günther Reicherds: German former professional footballer.
- Jennifer Reicherts: American former professional rhythmic gymnast.
- Hans Reicherds: Australian World War I soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
- Sybille Reicherds: German volunteer and leading member of the World War II effort at the German Family Planning Association.
- Dwight Reicherds: American Singer/songwriter, music publisher, and jazz producer.