Surname Rettich - Meaning and Origin

Rettich: What does the surname Rettich mean?

The last name Rettich is of German origin and is believed to have first appeared in Austria during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "retten", which translates to "root" or "rescue". The name may have originally been given to someone who was a "rooter" or "rescuer" of some kind. It could have been a professional who used a shovel and a pick to unearth animals trapped in creeks and ditches, a person who retrieved drowning victims, or a person who worked outdoors in some agricultural capacity.

The name also could have come from an occupational name, derived from a trade such as a cultivator of root vegetables. Rettich develops from the ancient German word "Bottich", meaning a container or tub used for boiling vegetables. This would lend itself to the idea of someone who was a seller or trader of root vegetables.

The use of Rettich as a surname is still found in Austria and Germany today, as well as other parts of Europe such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In addition to the countries mentioned, Rettich is also found in the United States, where it is believed to have been brought over by immigrants. Most likely, these settlers were of German or Austrian descent.

Rettich: Where does the name Rettich come from?

The last name Rettich is common today in many places around the world, but is still especially concentrated in Europe. Within Europe, it is most common in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. In Germany, the name is found most commonly in the states of Bavaria and Thuringia.

In the United States, the name Rettich can be found in several states, among them Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Wisconsin. While the numbers of those with the surname are growing in the US, they still represent a small number of individuals—there are currently less than 7,000 people with the surname Rettich living in the US.

Canada is home to a slightly larger population of Rettichs. The name is more widely spread throughout the nation, with its highest concentrations found in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec.

Additionally, Australia has a small population of Rettichs, concentrated mostly in the state of New South Wales.

In each of the countries where the surname is found, individuals with Rettich as a last name are a small minority. As such, most instances of the name Rettich are likely to be related individuals, descended from the same family.

Variations of the surname Rettich

Rettich is an uncommon German surname, derived from an old word meaning “radish”. It may also have been an ancient occupational name for a person who grew or sold radishes. Alternate spellings of the name include Rettig, Retig and Retich.

Variations of the name Rettich include Retticher, Rettiches, Rottig and Rettinger. There are also several variations of the name in other languages. In Dutch, the name is spelled Retting, and in Czech, it is spelled Retůch.

Surnames with similar origins and meanings are used by many other cultures. For example, the Spanish family name Retes is thought to be derived from the Latin word “radices”, meaning “root” or “radish”. The Hungarian surname Rete is likely derived from the Slavic word “rod”, meaning “horn” or “settlement”. The French name Rechie is believed to be derived from the Latin word “ricinus”, or “beetroot”.

Other surnames related to the name Rettich include Radish, Radisch, Redish and Retinger. These may all be derived from the same ancient radish- related root. Alternatively, they may have different roots altogether. For example, Radish may have been an old occupational name for a farmer or market gardener. In any case, the name Rettich is a rare and interesting surname, and its many variations and similar surnames are worth exploring.

Famous people with the name Rettich

• Danielle Rettich: an American actress who appeared in the television movie, “The Perfect Parent” in 2009.
• Bernie Rettich: a Canadian actor with credits in a number of films such as “My Brilliant Career”, “To Dance with Wolves”, “Strange Brew”, and “Cool Runnings”.
• Monika Rettich: a German actress, best known for her roles in “Küss mich, Bär” and “Heimliche Liebe”.
• Ivo Rettich: a Czech actor, known for his roles in Central European television series and movies such as the German-Czech production “Gardaš” and its sequel “Bílé lásky”.
• Harald Rettich: a German cinematographer, best known for his work on German television productions such as “Ein Fall für die Borger” and in films like “Der Fall des Landstreichers” and “Unschuld der Kinder”.
• Wolfram Rettich: a German documentary film producer and director, known for his work on the nature documentary “Das gibt’s nur einmal”.
• Ariel Rettich: an Argentinian sculptor and photographer, best known for his abstract wood sculptures.
• Max Rettich: an American author and historian, best known for his books about the history of the United States, such as “American History Through the Back Door” and “The American Revolution Through the Lens of the Common Man”.
• Dieter Rettich: an Austrian alpine skier and Olympic competitor, who won a bronze medal in the 1992 Winter Olympic alpine combined event.
• Michael Rettich: a German composer and songwriter, best known for his works such as “Lauter Morgentraeume” and “Der Sommer der Berlinerin”.

Other surnames

RettieRettigRettinger