Surname Ricker - Meaning and Origin
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The Journey of the Ricker Lineage: A DNA Test Revelation at iGENEA
The iGENEA DNA analysis plunged me into my past, revealing fascinating details about my ancestral roots. The test offered a profound understanding of the origin and history of my surname, Ricker. Learning the association of my surname with the Germanic tribes and the migratory path of my remote ancestors was invaluable.
I. Ricker
read moreRicker: What does the surname Ricker mean?
The last name Ricker is a German occupational name derived from the Middle High German "ricker," meaning a woodcutter. The surname is an occupational status name, which referred to someone who worked as a woodcutter or a lumber jack. It may have been used to refer to a person who worked in the forest industry, supplying wood to be used for various purposes such as construction, heating, and furniture-making. In this sense, the Ricker surname likely became quite popular during medieval times when wood was used extensively.
The name may also have been derived from the Old French word riker, meaning village. This name then likely acquired a suffix (such as "-er"), and was adopted by families living in a village who wished to differentiate themselves from others with the same name. This interpretation is supported by the fact that some families of the surname can be traced back to specific villages in Germany.
The Ricker family has been established in the United States since the 18th century, when many German-speaking immigrants arrived. Most of those with the surname live in the Midwest today, with the largest concentration of bloodlines in Wisconsin and Ohio. However, the family name is spread across the entire country.
In conclusion, the last name Ricker is derived from an occupational name, referring to those who worked as a woodcutter or a lumber jack, and may also have come from old French root referring to those living in villages. Its spread in the US today is quite wide, with particular focus in the Midwest region.
Order DNA origin analysisRicker: Where does the name Ricker come from?
The last name Ricker is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the US Census for 2020, the Ricker surname ranks 3,823 out of 88,799 of the most common surnames in the United States. The US Census also reveals that Ricker is most prevalent in the northeastern states, with the most Ricker households located in Pennsylvania, followed closely by New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. In addition, there are significant populations of Ricker-named households in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Virginia, and Illinois.
The Ricker name has a long legacy of immigrating settlers of European descent with roots in Germany, England, and Ireland. The Rickers were early settlers of American colonies in the 1600s, and have since migrated all over the country. Although the last name is mostly concentrated among the original 13 colonies, the name can also be found in many other parts of the United States, including Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Texas, and Alaska.
The name Ricker has a rich American history and is steeped in some of the earliest origins of the country’s culture. The Ricker surname remains a proud emblem of the family’s American ancestry and its contributions to the building of the nation.
Variations of the surname Ricker
The surname Ricker is a common German family name which likely originates from the personal name Rickard. Over time, the surname has evolved and can appear in a variety of different forms with slight spelling variations. Some of the most common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Ricker include:
Rickerl, Rickel, Rickerl, Riker, Richer, Riecher, Rijker, Ryker, Rikerl, Richter, Rücker, Richlar, Rickert, Dicker, Riccardi, and Reichert.
Ricker is a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the name of the father or ancestor. Ricker was likely already an existing surname before its use as a first name. It is possible that it began as a place name, derived from the German word ricken, meaning “a slope” or “a ridge”. The original bearer of the name may have lived on such a slope or ridge, and in turn, those who collaboratively shared the common identity could be identified by the same name.
Other Ricker variants may have derived from the personal name Rickard. This name is derived from the Germanic personal name Ryehard, which in turn is composed of two elements: the Germanic element “ric”, meaning “power” and “hard”, meaning “strong” or “brave”. Popularity of this personal name rose after the arrival of the Normans in England.
Variations of this patronymic surname may have also developed due to differences in spelling systems of different regions or languages. In modern day Germany, the form Richter is the most commonly used and official variant. In other countries, such as the United States, and the United Kingdom, Riker is the form that is seen most often.
Overall, the surname Ricker is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Rickard, and its spelling has changed over time to many variants such as Rickerl, Rickel, Riker, Richer, Riecher, Rijker, Ryker, Richter, etc. Popularity of the surname has spread across various countries, and its spelling and variants may depend on the specific region in where it is found.
Famous people with the name Ricker
- Paul W. Ricker: American astrophysicist
- Ed Ricker: American former NFL player and coach
- Bobby Ricker: American former MLB pitcher
- Gerald Ricker: American former US Air Force Pilot
- Mark Ricker: American film production designer
- Sean Ricker: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Cody Ricker: American professional bull rider
- Abi Ricker: American freestyle skier
- Jack Ricker: American actor
- Mike Ricker: American former MLB player
- Karl-Heinz Ricker: German former footballer and coach
- M. Ricker Pierce: American professor of rehabilitation medicine
- Wade Ricker: American former MLB player
- Chuck Ricker: American former professional basketball player
- Lena Ricker: American politician
- Dave Ricker: American former professional basketball player
- Tim Ricker: American sports announcer
- Gary Ricker: American former professional baseball player
- Marilyn Ricker: American former professional basketball player
- J.C. Ricker: American quarter horse trainer