Surname Reichard - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reichard: What does the surname Reichard mean?
The surname Reichard is of German origin and has different potential meanings depending on the specific cultural and regional context. The most commonly accepted meaning derives from the combination of two Old High German words: "rihhi" meaning 'ruler,' and "hart" meaning 'hard.' Therefore, the last name Reichard could suggest 'hard ruler' or 'strong power,' indicating a person who held authority or showed great strength and resilience. Like many German surnames, Reichard may have started as a given name before becoming a family name. Over time, it likely identified individuals coming from families where the original bearer presented characteristics of leadership, strong will, or decisiveness. It is important to note that each family with this name may have its unique history and interpretation of its significance.
Order DNA origin analysisReichard: Where does the name Reichard come from?
The last name Reichard is most commonly found in Bavaria, Germany. According to the US Census, it is the 843rd most common last name in the country, and is believed to be of German origin. It is also found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Switzerland.
In the United States, the name Reichard has been used since colonial times, and is most associated with Pennsylvania and other areas near Philadelphia. It is unclear where the Reichard family originally came from, though it is likely they originated in Germany and emigrated during the 1800s.
The most common spelling of Reichard is Reichert/Reichard, though there are some variations in which the vowels are pronounced differently. In some cases, the H and the R have been switched around or joined together to become Reicherd, Reicherdt, Reicheard or Reicheart.
Today, you can find the last name Reichard across the United States, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, California, Texas, and Illinois. It is also common in Ontario, Canada. The name is still quite popular in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Variations of the surname Reichard
The surname Reichard is an alternative spelling of the surname Richard, which is derived from the Latin word ‘ricardus’ meaning ‘strong and brave’. This surname is found throughout Europe and is particularly common in Germany and England.
Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Reichard include Ricard, Richarde, Richardson, Richards, Richardes, Richardsson, Richarson, Richarsen, Reichert, Reichart, Reichardt, Reichhardt, Reicherd, and Reicheld.
Some related surnames of the same origin include Ricci, Rietschel, Rhys, Reicher, Rico, Rice, Riccobono, Reichlen, Reichenbach, Recker, Reznik, Ridinger, Richter, Richtofen, and Regensburger.
The surname Reichard is also found in many variations in other languages, such as Reichel in German, Reichert in Dutch, Riccio in Italian, and Richel in French. All of these variations of the surname Reichard are derived from the Latin root word ‘ricardus’, meaning ‘strong and brave’.
This surname has been used in various forms throughout the centuries, as has its related surnames. While the spelling and name changes are subtle, it is important to recognize the common root and meaning behind the surname in order to better research its meaning and its relatives.
Famous people with the name Reichard
- Arthur Reichard: German actor and dubbing speaker
- Bill Reichard: American executive producer and film producer
- Curtis Reichard Jr.: American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- David Reichard: American four-time Grammy Award-winning audio engineer
- George Reichard: American television and film director
- Joe Reichard: American actor and film director
- John Reichard: American painter, sculptor, and art instructor
- Joseph Reichard: American three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer
- Kiley Reichard: American 3D animator
- Leslie Reichard: American executive producer and director
- Mark Reichard: American architect, designer, author, and professor
- Paul Reichard: German Antarctic explorer
- Peter Reichard: German molecular biologist and philosopher
- Quentin Reichard: American composer, music producer, and vocalist
- Richard Reichard: German horse rider
- Robert Reichard: German professor, entrepreneur, and investor
- Rick Reichard: American entrepreneur, artist, and yoga instructor
- Robert Reichard: American music composer and conductor
- Thomas Reichard: Austrian actor
- Wolfgang Reichard: German painter and sculptor