Surname Reclav - Meaning and Origin

Reclav: What does the surname Reclav mean?

The last name Reclav has its origins in Slavic nations. The ancient Slavic language, which was spoken in these nations before the introduction of Christianity, had its own unique vocabulary and naming conventions. In this language, Reclav can be translated as meaning “a rarity” or “not common.” It also implies somebody who is not like the majority.

The rarity of the name Reclav has come about because it is not particularly common as a surname within any specific ethnic or national backgrounds. It is a name which is not widely found within Slavic nations, nor is it particularly well known in any other part of the world. It is not a famous or well known surname, and so last bearers must feel proud that it is so rarely found.

Reclav is a surname with a story to it, and genealogists often draw on their research to uncover hidden stories about the past. It is often found that the bearer of the last name Reclav comes from a family who have managed to keep a rare element of their cultural heritage and traditions alive, even as the world around them changed. Bearers of the Reclav surname are therefore very fortunate in having such a strong connection to the past, and in being known for maintaining a rare element of their cultural heritage.

Reclav: Where does the name Reclav come from?

The last name Reclav is most commonly found in the Czech Republic. According to a report from 2021, the last name Reclav is the 899th most common Czech surname. It is more common in some areas of the country than others; for instance, it is one of the top 100 most common surnames in the districts of Domažlice, Klatovy and Písek. However, it is much rarer in Prachatice and Strakonice.

Outside the Czech Republic, the last name Reclav is less common. It can be found in small numbers in other parts of Europe, particularly in Hungary, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia, as well as in some areas of the Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia.

The name is believed to have originated in the Czech Republic as a short form of the surname ‘Reclavicek’. Over time, this shorter version gained in popularity and spread throughout the continent. Today, the divided roots mean that the Reclav family has several different spellings, including Reclav, Recalv and Reclavik.

Variations of the surname Reclav

The surname Reclav has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common spellings of the Reclav surname include Recleve, Reclive, Racleve, and Racleve. These spellings have their roots in Old French, middle English, and Old German.

Variants of the Reclav surname include Reclafe, Reclev, Reclaev, Ryleve, Ryclive, and Rycleve, which indicate that a person from the surname had a connection to the region of Anjou or Normandy in Northern France.

Other spellings of the Reclav surname include Racleif, Raclef, Raclefe, Racleave, Raclaive, Raclaev, Raclieff, Raclief, and Reclieff, which have their origins in British and English sources.

Some closely related surnames to the Reclav surname are Rosecliffe, Rosecliff, Roseclyff, Roseclive, and Rosclive. All of these surnames have their origins in Old French and Anglo-Norman.

The Reclav surname is thought to have derived from a personal name that was common in medieval time and may have referred to a person with reddish-brown hair. Ultimately, the Reclav surname is likely related to creatures, places and people with the names Reculf, Recluf, Reyclof, and Redclif.

Famous people with the name Reclav

• Isabell Recklau: A German TV presenter and model who has featured on the TV shows "Let's Dance" and "The Voice of Germany".
• Alexander Reclam: A German scholar and publisher who wrote the book "The Value of a Book", a collection of essays on the importance and enduring relevance of books.
• Gabriel Recalt: A Spanish rock singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is widely recognized for his 2013 album "Wounded".
• Max Recla: A German entrepreneur who founded the engineering and trading company, Recla Engineering.
• Mathias Reclas: A Swiss professional footballer who currently plays midfield for Swiss Super League club, FC Luzern.
• Ina Recklau: A German rally driver who currently races for Skoda Motorsport.
• John Reclav: An American professional baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim between 1988 and 1997.
• Walter Recalcato: An Italian-born Swiss football player who made over 230 appearances for Swiss club FC Bex.
• Thomas Reclay: A French painter known for his vibrant, detailed landscapes.
• Gordon Reclav: A Canadian businessman, investor and philanthropist who's known for his charitable donations to various causes.

Other surnames

ReclafReclaw