Surname Rittcher - Meaning and Origin
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Rittcher: What does the surname Rittcher mean?
The surname Rittcher is of German origin, with two possible meanings. First, it may come from a place name referring to a person from Rittchen, a town in Germany located near Frankfurt. Alternatively, it may come from a word meaning "to scratch" or "one who scratches," and it is often seen as a variation of the more common surname Ritcher.
At the birth of surnames in the 12th century, families often adopted a surname derived from the name of their place of birth. Assuming the Rittcher surname was adopted from a place name, it would likely have been used by several families who originated from Rittchen.
In addition to the place name origin, the Rittcher surname could also be a occupational name for someone who was engaged in scratching or making incisions on parchment or vellum. Those who held this profession would have vital skills since parchment had to be carefully prepared and assessed by a skilled scribe or craftsman. In this sense, the surname Rittcher could be a reference to the level of skill a person had in this profession.
Finally, the surname Rittcher is of relatively common frequency in Germany and many other countries in Europe. In the United States it is relatively rare, with a presence in only a limited number of states. While it is possible that those who bear the surname are descended from immigrant families who came from Germany, it is also possible that the surname exists as a variation of the more common surname Ritcher. Regardless of its exact origin, the surname Rittcher is one with a rich history, and it likely has a strong meaning and significance for the families who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisRittcher: Where does the name Rittcher come from?
The last name Rittcher is common today in many countries throughout Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is especially widespread in the east of the country. According to ‘Vornamen.at’, a website which tracks the distribution of surnames in Austria, the name was most common in Vienna in 2016, with just over 137 people bearing the name.
The name has been found in documents dating back to 1565, and is believed to have originated in a Jewish family living in Lower Franconia, a region of Bavaria. The surname is derived from the word 'Ritter', which means knight, and is generally thought to have been chosen as a reference to the family’s social elevation.
Additional variants of the name today include Ritter, Ritscher, Ritchey, Ritchea, and Ritcha. According to the US Census Bureau, the name Rittcher was the 986,063rd most frequent name in the United States in 2018.
Variations of the surname Rittcher
The surname Rittcher has many spelling variations, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Its earliest forms were Redeker, Retchor, Rettchor, Retchur, Rittche, Ritchy, Ritcher, Rittchur, Rittcher, Rittchner, Rutcher, and Rücher. They are German patronymic surnames, which were formed by adding a German suffix to a given name.
The most common spelling variation, Rittcher, is thought to be a central German and Bavarian diminutive of Rechter, a German occupational name for someone who was a maker of rakes or a carpenter. The spelling variation Ritcher could also be a topographic name for someone who lived by a ridge or bank.
The spelling and variant form Rücher are also variants of Rechter. It could also be an altered spelling of the German place name Rückershausen, or dialectal variants of Ruotsalainen, a topographic name for someone from the Finnish province of Satakunta. In some cases, Rücher is an altered spelling of Reicher, a German nickname for someone who was wealthy.
In the United States, the surname Rittcher is most often used in Pennsylvania, where it is thought to be of Pennsylvania German and Pennsilfaanisch origin. It could also be derived from an Americanized spelling of other German surnames such as Rietscher, Reitscher, Reutschner, Rütsher, Rötschner, and Reitsch. It is also possible that the surname is derived from the German surname Rauscher, from the Old High German rûsan, meaning "to roar".
Famous people with the name Rittcher
- Catherine Ritcher: American actress known for appearing in films such as The Social Network, Moneyball, and The Aviator.
- Andrew Ritcher: American actor featured in the films Friday Night Lights and The Proposal.
- Kristin Ritcher: American actress who has appeared in a number of television shows, most notably The Office.
- Mandy Ritcher: LA-based entrepreneur and fashion designer.
- Bob Ritcher: world-renowned jazz musician and composer.
- Felix Ritcher: German-born fashion designer who has launched numerous successful collections.
- Shirley Ritcher: American painter and sculptor whose work has been featured in many exhibitions.
- Caroline Ritcher: American photographer and author of several bestselling books.
- Michael Ritcher: British television host and presenter, best known for his role on BBC's The One Show.
- Katarina Ritcher: Austrian-born film producer, best known for her work on the horror film Monstrosity.