Surname Ricke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Ricke: What does the surname Ricke mean?
The last name Ricke is a German occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “ricke”, meaning “counselor” or “magistrate”. It is similar to names derived from the Middle High German word “richen”, meaning “eminent” or “rich”. The surname initially referred to an individual who held a position of authority or responsibility. Ricke can also have regional origins, with the name’s origin in the southern German region of Bavaria.
The Ricke surname has been recorded worldwide, with its presence in the United States dating back to the 1700s. During the 19th century, German immigrants brought the Ricke name with them to the United States. Now, it is commonly found throughout the United States, usually with a spelling variation, such as Rick or Rickes.
Ricke can also be spelled “Rickels”, “Riegel”, “Riggle”, or “Rieck”. Today, many variations of the surname exist, with families in the United States that still carry the name. The surname is also found in various countries outside of Germany, such as France, Austria, and Chile.
The Ricke surname can be found in many different contexts and can identify people from all walks of life. Regardless of where the Ricke name originates, it can represent those who are accomplished and successful, or it can simply refer to someone who has an impressive presence. The individual behind the Ricke name could range from a magistrate to a wealthy businessman to a soldier.
Order DNA origin analysisRicke: Where does the name Ricke come from?
The last name Ricke is of German origin and is still common in certain German-speaking regions, Germanic countries, and other countries with German populations. Although the frequency of the name can vary significantly, it is still among the top 100 last names in Germany. It can also be found in parts of the United States with a substantial German-American population, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The last name Ricke is a variation of "Rike," meaning "rich." In the Middle Ages, this name was mainly used by wealthier families or those who had accumulated significant wealth and wanted to reflect their status. Today, the surname is still commonly used by German families with wealth and power, though it is also not uncommon among people of all social classes in German-speaking countries.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in areas such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and New York. It has also been recorded in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. It can also be found in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with large German populations.
Variations of the surname Ricke
The surname Ricke has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Examples include Rick, Ricker, Rickey, Rickard, Riker, Ryck, Rike, and Rickx. Each of these variants arise from different parts of the world, giving the surname a wide presence.
In Germany and German-speaking regions, there are several versions of the surname. The Ricke spelling derives from the eastern Germanic word ‘ric’ which means ‘strong’ and ‘powerful’. In Swiss-German and Baden-Württemberg the Swedish spelling of Rick is most prevalent. Variants such asc Rike, Rickey, Ryck, Rickard, and Ricker can also be found in these regions.
In France, the Ricke spelling can be seen as an alternative to Richer. Derived from the Germanic word ‘ric’ meaning ‘rich’, Richer is the French spelling of the name. The surname began to be more widely used in French regions after the Crusades as Crusaders adopted the Ricke surname.
The surname is also found in other English-speaking regions. The Rickey spelling is predominant in Ireland specifically, stemming from the Gaelic phrase ‘rigeach’ meaning ‘scarlet’. The surname Rix in the Netherlands, specifically Utrecht, also derives its origin from ‘richer’ while in Belgium Rickx is found is most commonly seen.
Overall, the surname Ricke has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations may differ regionally but all derive from the original surname.
Famous people with the name Ricke
- Mike Ricke: A renowned German cyclist and current coach of the Qatar Cycling Team
- Dico Ricke: A German composer and music producer
- Kevin Ricke: Former professional NFL defensive tackle
- Alwin Ricke: A German professor of environmental engineering
- Gunter Ricke: German physicist and director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics
- Erich Ricke: German officer and recipient of the Knight’s Cross during World War II
- Maximilian Ricke: German Roman Catholic Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Speyer
- Charles Ricke: American artist and lithographer
- Ricke Holtmann: German soccer manager and former player
- Wolfgang Ricke: German professor of medical sciences
- Alejandro Ricke: Venezuelan sprint canoer
- Piotr Ricke: Polish Paralympic swimmer
- Torsten Ricke: German footballer
- Steve Ricke: American collegiate basketball coach
- Mit Hendrik Ricke: A Dutch footballer
- Carlos Ricke: Brazilian footballer
- Bert Ricke: American professional baseball player
- Henry Ricke: American politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- LorriWertz-Ricke: American professional psychotherapist and author
- Stefan Ricke: Former West German swimmer