Surname Ricken - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Ricken: What does the surname Ricken mean?
The last name Ricken is of German origin and is derived from the German words 'rook' or 'Rick' meaning strong or brave. As such, it has often been associated with strength, courage and bravery among its descendants. The earliest known records of the name appear as early as 1336 from the Middle Ages in what was then known as the Holy Roman Empire.
Since then, the Ricken surname has gone on to become quite widespread throughout Europe in countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech and Slovakia. Historically, Ricken families held a variety of occupations. Many were farmers, trades people, merchants, woodworkers and brewers.
In more recent history, some members of the Ricken family have ventured to parts of the United States. Those who settled in the states typically carried on many of the same occupations as they did back in their homeland, with some notable exceptions as workers in local mines.
The name Ricken is, to this day, a recourse to strength, courage and bravery for its many descendants. Its rich and storied history is a reminder of the perseverance and dedication that has been imprinted on this family name for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisRicken: Where does the name Ricken come from?
The surname Ricken is most common in Germany and in German-speaking areas. It is derived from a German word meaning “mighty or powerful” and is often used as both a first and last name. In Germany, it is most common in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in smaller numbers in other German-speaking areas, including Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Outside of German-speaking countries, the last name Ricken is relatively uncommon. In the United States, it ranks near the bottom at 68,979 according to 2020 data from the US Census. It is slightly more common in the Netherlands, where it is the 10,222nd most common last name.
The Ricken name may have originated centuries ago as a nickname for a powerful individual, possibly a leader or warrior. Alternatively, it could also have been descriptive and related to a person’s physical strength or size. Over time, the name was adopted as a last name as families became more common in Germany. Today, the surname Ricken is found around the world, although it is most commonly associated with German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Ricken
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ricken include Rycken, Ryckin, Ryckins, Ryckon, Rykken, Rykin, RickenbHg, Ryckers, Rickenbacker, Rykens, Rickman, Rychen, Riecken, Rycke, Ryche, Rickenbacher, and Rieckmann.
Rycken is a German variant of the surname that is derived from the personal name Rico. Variants such as Ryckin and Ryckins were also used in Germany. Ryckon and Rykken emerged as Dutch variants of the name, while Rykin was used in Britain.
RickenbHg is an archaic variant of the name that was used prior to the 19th century. Meanwhile, Ryckers and Rickenbacker are modern variants, emerging in the USA.
Rykens is a Flemish variant of the name, often used in Belgium. Rickman is an English variant that is derived from the Old English personal name Ric, while Rychen is another Dutch variant.
Riecken is a Low Saxon variant of the name, while Rycke is a Friesian variant. Ryche is another English variant, while Rickenbacher is an established German-American version of the name. Rieckmann is a variant that is derived from Riecken.
Famous people with the name Ricken
- Kurt Ricken:a German actor who appears in theater, television, and film.
- Philipp Ricken: a German actor featured in multiple films & TV series.
- Eric Ricken: an American outfitter and adventure presenter.
- Steve Ricken: an American football coach.
- Paul Ricken: a German film director.
- Kate Ricken: a fashion designer from New York.
- Alfred Ricken: a German politician.
- Matthias Ricken: a German hip-hop musician.
- Marc Ricken: an American rower and Olympic gold medalist.