Surname Rixe - Meaning and Origin
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Rixe: What does the surname Rixe mean?
The last name Rixe is a patronymic surname of German origin. It derived from the Middle High German name Rike which was derived from the Old German word rīchi meaning “rich” or “possessing power”. The Rixe family is believed to have been of Bavarian origin and was a prominent family in the Middle Ages.
The name Rixe is associated with the Germanic nobility, as many of its bearers held prestigious titles. The family is associated with the medieval “House of Rixe” which held a feudal dynasty in Württemberg and Franconia. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Rixe family achieved status and wealth as merchants, traders, and nobleman.
The Rixe family were known for their military involvement and were active in conflicts as far back as the Wars of the German Empire. The family was active in politics and held many positions in powerful circles. They also served as landlords of lands in Italy, Germany and Egypt.
The Rixe family has a long and proud history with ties to aristocracy. While their descendants may live scattered around the world, this family name carries with them the legacy of a prominent and powerful family from long ago.
Order DNA origin analysisRixe: Where does the name Rixe come from?
The surname Rixe is of German origin, though it has spread beyond Germany to many other countries in Europe and elsewhere. Within Germany it is most commonly found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The surname Rixe is quite rare and it's variation, Rix, is more commonly found in modern records. In the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century, the surname was prevalent in communities in northern and western Germany. It can also be found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemburg.
The surname Rixe can also be found in Scandinavia, where it is particularly associated with Finland. Many emigrated to Finland in the early 1800s and the surname is still found there today.
Rixe is also found in the US. Many of the individuals with this surname immigrated to the country in the 19th century; records indicate that some came from Belgium and France, while others came from Germany, Prussia, and Austria.
The surname Rixe is also present in Australia, with some settlers coming from Germany and Finland. It is particularly prevalent in New South Wales.
Overall, it appears that the last name Rixe is most common today in Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as in the US, Finland, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Rixe
The surname Rixe is usually found in France, by people of Germanic origin. Other variants of this surname include Rieks, Rix, Ricks, Rixen, Reicks, Reichel, Richer, Richter, Ricker, Riker, Ryck and Rickerl.
Rixe can also be found in some parts of North America, particularly among Germans who immigrated to this continent centuries ago. Many of the Rixe families here are thought to have been originally from the northwestern part of Europe. Variants of the name Rixe found in North America include Riecks, Ricks, Rixen, Reicks, Reichel, Richer, Richter, Ricker, Riker, Ryck, and Rickerl.
Rixe is also seen in Britain, where it was first found in Lancashire before spreading to other parts of the country, particularly to Scotland and Ireland. Variations of the name in the British Isles include Rieks, Rix, Riecks, Ricks, Rixen, Reicks, Reichel, Richer, Richter, Ricker, Riker, Ryck, and Rickerl.
Other variants of this surname can be found in Holland, where it took on the form Richts. In Germany, Rixe can be seen as Reichel or Richter and in Austria, it is often spelled Reichel. In Switzerland, Richer is the variant of this name.
The etymological roots of the surname Rixe can be traced back to the Old German words "ric", meaning "powerful"; and "tac", which means "tribe". Hence, it can be translated as "tribe of power". It is believed that the family originally used this surname to signify their strength and influence over their respective domains.
Famous people with the name Rixe
- Kristof Rixe: professional speed skater from Belgium who was a bronze medalist in the 2014 World Allround Championships.
- Fabienne Rixe Kaan: Dutch model and international development professional.
- Gary Rixe: American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the Rixe Group.
- Caroline Rixe Melberg: Swedish human rights lawyer and Supreme Court Judge.
- Marcel Rixe: French film director, screenwriter and actor.
- Karel Rixe: Belgian artist and art theorist.
- Astrid Rixe-Kroitzsch: German Paralympian athlete, competed in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Laurent Rixe: French gold medalist in cross-country skiing in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- Gaetan Rixe: Belgian cyclist and gold medalist in the 1977 Cycling World Championships.
- Dirk Rixe: Danish UN diplomat, ambassador to the UN from 1999 to 2007.