Surname Riecken - Meaning and Origin
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Riecken: What does the surname Riecken mean?
The last name Riecken is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Rieke" meaning "ridge". The suffix "-en" in the name means "of or from" in German, so Riecken means "from the ridge".
This surname likely originated as a locational name from a place called Rieke or Rieken, which were settlements located along a ridge or near a ridge. This type of place name was common in Germany during the Middle Ages, as it was a practical and descriptive choice.
The surname Riecken is most common in the state of Hesse, Germany. In the United States, the name is found in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, with the highest concentrations in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The Riecken surname is associated with a rich family history. It includes ancestors who served in the German military, some who migrated to the United States in the 1800s, and a few whose occupations were listed as coal miners in both countries.
The name Riecken is still carried by many families around the world today. Many members of the family proudly bear the name of their German ancestry, keeping the legacy alive.
Order DNA origin analysisRiecken: Where does the name Riecken come from?
The last name Riecken is most commonly found today in Germany. According to a 2016 survey, Riecken was the 2,777th most common German surname, with approximately 10, stranding people having that last name. It can also be found in the United States, where it is mostly concentrated in the state of Maryland and is ranked 40,129th.
Riecken is thought to be derived from the German word "Rikin", meaning "ruler". It is likely that the name began as a nickname used to denote an especially authoritative person or leader.
The Riecken family is likely the result of migration. During the 1600s and 1700s, German-speaking populations throughout Europe, such as the Palatinate, left for America in droves, often as indentured servants of English or Dutch colonists. The family name Riecken was among those that followed and eventually settled in Maryland.
Today, the Riecken family is a diverse and far-reaching one. Through intermarriage, the name is often connected to other German, Dutch, and English immigrants. Furthermore, through ongoing migration to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries, Riecken is now found far beyond Germany and Maryland.
Variations of the surname Riecken
The surname Riecken is of German origin and can be spelt various different ways. It is also known as Reichen, Reicke, Reick, Reicken, Reickmann, Reck, Recken, Reccken, Reichenau, Reichenbach, Reichers, Riecke, Riecken, Rieck, Recken, Reeck and Ricken.
Riecken is derived from the Old German word ‘ric’ which can mean ‘ruler’ or ‘person in charge’. This surname was often given to people in positions of authority, such as during the Middle Ages when it was used to describe members of the higher classes.
The variants Reicke, Reick and Reickmann are derived from the Old German word ‘reic’ which means ‘strong’. This gave the name a slightly different meaning and was more often used to describe people who were strength and power, such as knights, soldiers or religious leaders.
The surnames Reichenau, Reichenbach, and Reichers are derived from the Old German words ‘reic’ and ‘er’ which means ‘estate’ or ‘property’ and ‘holder’ respectively. This could signify someone who held or owned lands or estates.
The surnames Recken, Reeck, Ricken and Riecken are derived from the Old German words ‘recco’ which means a ‘shire’ or ‘county’. This could potentially indicate someone who lived in a specific county, such as a territorial ruler.
In summary, the surname Riecken can have many different forms and variants depending on its origin. Most of these variants have similar, yet slightly different, meanings, such as ruler, strong, property owner, and territorial ruler.
Famous people with the name Riecken
- Erin Riecken: actor, playing roles in Netflix and Hulu originals, including The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act.
- Alison Riecken: a correspondent for BBC News Live and a political reporter for Roll Call, a news source for Capitol Hill.
- Peter Riecken: a German Paralympic swimmer, winning fourteen medals in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games.
- Robert Riecken: an Austrian actor and producer, best known for his work on the 2009 film Crazy for Christmas.
- Günter Riecken: a German chemist and Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry in 1999 for his work on molecular electronic structures and reactivity.
- Kurt Riecken: a German film actor, best known for his roles in the comedy Uncle Bräsig (1976) and the thriller The Witness (1975).
- Michael Riecken: a German composer and producer, best known for his works in collaboration with German singer-songwriter Peter Maffay, such as his album "Ich will leben".
- Sascha Riecken: a German actor and musician, best known for the 2019 movie Follow Me, directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner.
- Helmut Riecken: a German lawyer and former justice of the German Federal Constitutional Court.
- Wolfgang Riecken: a German diver, competing in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the 1996 event.