Surname Reichhard - Meaning and Origin

Reichhard: What does the surname Reichhard mean?

The last name Reichhard is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German words “reich” (rich or powerful) and “hart” (strong or hard). It was originally used as a patronymic name, referring to someone’s father. Reichhard was primarily used by families from the Middle Ages on to indicate their standing in the community.

In some cases, families who adopted the surname may have had a father or ancestor of high wealth or rank, or a family of prominent status. Over time, wealthy families associated their wealth with the Reichhard name, and the name came to symbolize noble lineage and strength.

Additionally, the Reichhard surname has its own unique coat of arms. The family shield includes a blue background, a crest of a lion atop a double-headed eagle, and three shaded areas with a fleur-de-lys in each.

The motto “Ex virtute optimum” (or “The Best from Virtue”) is often associated with the Reichhard family, which could be seen as a way of saying that the family has achieved their success and wealth through virtuous means.

While the name Reichhard is not as well-known as some other German names, the family history and origin is still rich and meaningful. The name carries a powerful message of strength, lineage, and wealth, all necessary character qualities that families centuries ago desired in their families. The Reichhard coat of arms also proudly displays the virtues of the family and is something the family can still share and display with pride today.

Reichhard: Where does the name Reichhard come from?

The last name Reichhard is most commonly found today in Germany and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. In Germany, the name originated in the Middle Ages and is most commonly found in the southern states, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name is also quite common in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.

In the United States, the name Reichhard can be found most prevalently in Pennsylvania, where there is a sizable population of Germans who migrated from Central and Eastern Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, its presence is also not uncommon in other states with large populations of German-Americans, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. Smaller numbers of individuals with the last name Reichhard can also be found in some parts of Canada.

Outside of Germany and its traditional sphere of influence, the surname Reichhard is sometimes found in its Anglicized form, Richmond (or variants such as Richey or Rickey). This form is more common in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Altogether, the last name Reichhard is particularly associated with Central and Eastern Europe, although individuals with the name can be found in various parts of the world today.

Variations of the surname Reichhard

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Reichhard include: Reichardt, Rechardt, Reichart, Rechter, Reichert, Reichenberg, Reicher, Reich, Reichard, Richerd, Reicherd, Reichel, Reichelberg, Reichle, Reichl, Reicherts, and Reichelmann.

Reichhard is an old Middle High German name deriving from words meaning “strong, brave, courageous” and “hard”. It first appears in documents as early as the 11th century, when it was found in contemporary Augustusburg, a fortified castle from the Carolingian royal court. The Reichhard family is believed to have originated in the area of what is now known as the Czech Republic in the 10th century, but can trace centuries of Germanic ancestry back even further.

The variants of Reichhard are all connected to the same root and have experienced various spelling changes throughout the centuries. Most of these spelling changes occurred in the last few centuries, due to the difficulty of translating the old Middle High German words into modern German. For example, Reichert and Reichelmann are two variants that emerged from a more recent reimagining of the name.

In foreign countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, many of the Reichhard spellings have been altered further due to difficulty with transcribing the name. Variations such as Reicher, Richerd and Reichenberg can be found due to Anglicization of the name.

All of the variants of Reichhard carry the same meaning and ancestry, although certainly their appearances have varied across the years.

Famous people with the name Reichhard

• Wolfgang Reichhard: Wolfgang Reichhard is a German film producer, director and actor. He is best known for producing iconic films such as Amelie and Goodbye Lenin.
• Werner Reichhard: Werner Reichhard is a prominent German theater and film actor who is best known for his role in the popular film Goodbye Lenin.
• Peter Reichard: Peter Reichard is a German film and television director who is best known for directing movies such as the Berlin Calling and The Little Ghost.
• Ernst Reichhardt: Ernst Reichhardt was a German actor, director and producer who is most known for having written and directed the first talking movie in Germany entitled The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.
• Brigitte Reichhard: Brigitte Reichhard is a German actress and producer best known for producing the movie Exit Marrakech.
• Fritz Reichardt: Fritz Reichardt was a German sailor and Olympic champion. He was the winner of the gold medal in the eight with coxswain event at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Carl Reichardt: Carl Reichardt was a German painter and lithographer who was also an engraver and draftsman. He was a member of the Berlin Secession and is best known for his landscapes and floral still lifes.
• Elvis Reichardt: Elvis Reichardt is a German singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He has released various solo records and collaborated with a number of artists including the popular Swiss singer Curio.

Other surnames

ReichhardtReichhart