Surname Reckel - Meaning and Origin
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Reckel: What does the surname Reckel mean?
The last name Reckel is of German origin and dates back to the medieval period of German history. It is believed to have originated as a form of the word 'reckone', which means to rule or govern. The name is also related to the Old German word 'reichen', which refers to those people who grasped power, land, or influence in their own right. These people were often referred to as 'reckers', which could be translated as a 'reckoner' or a 'ruler'.
The Reckel family played an important role in the history and culture of Germany, covering most of the country's land. They are an ancient and noble family, with records of their origin dating back to the 11th century when Hubertus Reckel was appointed to the high office of Archbishop of Mainz.
The Reckel family members were quite influential during this time, and many had lofty positions in the royal court. During the Middle Ages, they were considered one of the most powerful families in Germany, and were even related to the Duke of Wuerttemberg.
Today, the last name Reckel is still very prevalent in Germany and across the world. Many of the Reckel's trace their ancestry back to the early Middle Ages and proudly perpetuate the Reckel legacy. The Reckel family motto is "Herrscher der Welt" meaning 'ruler of the world'.
Order DNA origin analysisReckel: Where does the name Reckel come from?
The surname Reckel is most commonly found in Germany, where it is the 4,292nd most common last name. It is likely derived from the Old German word "Recken" which means warrior. It can also be derived from the Latin first name "Recke", meaning strong or robust. The majority of people bearing the Reckel surname today live in Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Sachsen-Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Outside of Germany, Reckel is also found in South Africa, where the name is the 4,530th most popular surname. It is common in the Cape Town region in particular. In the United States, the Reckel surname is generally found on the East Coast including Connecticut, New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. This surname is also present in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Manitoba.
The name Reckel is usually found among those of Lutheran religion, and is part of a diaspora of its population stretching throughout the world. Over the centuries, many have emigrated to other parts of the world searching for a better life. Many of these departures were likely necessitated by religious persecution or by economic necessity.
Variations of the surname Reckel
The surname Reckel is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word 'recke', which means 'hero' or 'person of stature/respect'. It is a name given to those of great prestige or achievements in medieval German societies. As a result, the surname Reckel may be found in many parts of Europe, having spread to most Germanic countries during the period of migration and settlement in the post-medieval era.
Various surnames of the same origin as Reckel, such as Radcke, Reichel, Recke, Retzke, Retzki, Reck, Retz, Retzloff, Retzler, Reffger, Reggler, Recker, Represente, Retschow, Recknagel, Retzlaff, and Retsch have been documented.
One of the alternate spellings of Reckel is Ratzke, a surname of East Prussian origin. This variation of the name was mostly found in northeast Germany and present day Russia.
The surname Reckel may also be found in the form of Radcke. This form is mostly encountered in the southern German regions. Additionally, descriptive variants of the surname have also been found, such as Reckenberger, which means 'one from the meadow of the heroes'.
Famous people with the name Reckel
- David Reichel: a German songwriter and music producer best known for his work with artists such as Freddy Quinn and Mariza.
- Karl Reichel (1895-1995): a German lawyer, judge and politician who served as a minister in the Bavarian government and secretary of the first government of the Weimar Republic.
- Martin Reichel (born 1966): a former German rower who competed in the 1988 Olympic Games.
- Anton Reichel (1865-1925): an Austrian painter best known for his portraits and landscapes, as well as his stained glass windows and metal work.
- Herbert Reichel (1925-2017): a renowned German artist best known for his abstract expressionist paintings.
- Franziska Reichel (born 1951): a German singer-songwriter best known for her folk music.
- Gudrun Reichel (born 1948): a German author and historian who predominantly works in the fields of German and European history and culture.
- Wilhelm Reichel (1885-1963): a Jewish-German businessman and art collector who amassed one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in Europe at the time.
- Kaspar Reichel (1595-1671): a German woodcarver who is best known for his works in Silesia.