Surname Riechmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Riechmann: What does the surname Riechmann mean?
The last name Riechmann is commonly found in Germany and originates from the east region of Prussia. The name is of Germanic origin and comes from the the word 'Rig', which in Old German means 'powerful' or 'mighty'. This could mean that the earliest people to use the last name belonged to a powerful family in the past, or had a respected lineage.
The name could also have come from the Middle High German ‘Reich’, which translates to 'kingdom' or 'empire'. This suggests the first Riechmanns may have been rulers of their own small kingdom or territory.
The name could also mean to come from an old profession. In some regions of Germany, the last name Riechmann was used to refer to persons who had the job of transporting goods via river or wagons.
Over time the surname has evolved, with many variations, including Richman, Richmann, Rechmann, Rechman, Reichman and Reichmann.
The name continues to be very common in Prussia and some areas of Germany. It is also found in other countries, including the United States and Canada, as the Riechmanns often moved overseas in search of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisRiechmann: Where does the name Riechmann come from?
The last name Riechmann is most commonly associated with Germany and the surrounding countries, especially Belgium, The Netherlands, and Denmark. It is very rare in the United States and not common in any other parts of the world.
In Germany, Riechmann is most common in the western part of the country, and specifically in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg. It is also common in western parts of the Netherlands such as Limburg, Zeeland, and Noord-Brabant. There are a few Riechmanns living in Denmark and some other areas of northern Europe.
It is believed that the last name Riechmann originated in Germany as an occupational name, although the exact origin of the name is still unknown. It may have been derived from the old Germanic personal name 'Reichman', which means 'rich man'. The name was most likely first used by people who owned large estates or had large amounts of wealth.
The Riechmanns that are living in Germany today are likely descended from the original bearers of the name, or possibly from families that immigrated from the surrounding countries in the last century. Another possibility is that they are descended from families that that moved elsewhere in Europe but have since returned to Germany.
Variations of the surname Riechmann
Riechmann is a German patronymic surname, derived from the personal name “Riech” or “Riecher”, which is derived from the Old German “ric” meaning “rule”. The surname is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Variants of Riechmann include Rechmann, Reichmann, Riceman, and Riecheman. Additionally, today many people with the Riechmann surname may have Anglicized versions of the name, such as Reichman, Reighman, Rightman and Richman.
Spellings may vary depending on the region and upon historical convention, but classical German spelling should always begin with “R”. Some spelling variations of this name also contain a “u” instead of a “c” (e.g. Ruechmann, Reuchmann).
Finally, there are some surnames of similar origin, including Riechert, Riechers, and Reiche. These surnames can all trace their roots back to the German “ric” and may be anglicized as Reichert, Richert, Ritschert, and Richart.
In summary, the variant names, spellings and surnames of Riechmann include Rechmann, Reichmann, Riceman, Riecheman, Reichman, Reighman, Rightman, Richman, Ruechmann, Reuchmann, Riechert, Riechers, Reiche, Reichert, Richert, Ritschert and Richart.
Famous people with the name Riechmann
- Michael Riechmann: German track and field athlete, won bronze medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Klaus-Rainer Riechmann: German theologian and philosopher.
- Jakob Riechmann: German mannerist painter active in the 16th century.
- Erwin Riechmann: German athlete, competed in the men's discus throw event at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Herbert Riechmann: German orchestra leader and composer.
- Henry Arthur Riechmann: German-born American chemist and professor at Princeton University.
- Richard Riechmann: German-born Austrian painter and illustrator, associated with early modernism.
- Ludwig Riechmann: German archaeologist and Egyptologist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Albert Edward Riechmann: German-born American architect and sculptor.
- Paul Riechmann: German musicologist and author, known for his book on the history of the violin.