Surname Rickenbacher - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling Unexpected Ancestral Twists: my Enthralling iGENEA DNA Test Experience

My iGENEA DNA test journey began as a quest to delve into my Rickenbacher lineage, expecting a solidly Swiss heritage. However, the results astonished me with unexpected turns and revelations, shattering my initial assumptions.

L. Rickenbacher

Rickenbacher: What does the surname Rickenbacher mean?

The last name Rickenbacher is of Swiss-German origin and its precise meaning is not distinctly known, largely due to variations and evolution in language over centuries. In general, many Germanic and Swiss-German surnames may be connected to geographical locations, descriptions of an occupation, or personal attributes of an ancestor.

The component 'Ricken' could possibly refer to "Recken" meaning "strong man" or "warrior" in old German, or to the geographical term "Ricken" referring to a ridge or pass. 'Bacher' is a fairly common component in Germanic surnames and often refers to a dweller by a brook or stream, known as ‘Bach’ in German.

Hence, the name Rickenbacher could denote people who lived near a stream or brook in a ridge area, or it might associate with a robust figure or a warrior from a certain location. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Eddie Rickenbacker, an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient.

However, it is important to note that the exact meaning of such old surnames is still a subject of extensive research and study.

Rickenbacher: Where does the name Rickenbacher come from?

The last name Rickenbacher is now most commonly found in the United States. It had its origins in Switzerland, where it was a common name in areas around Basel, but there are now far more Rickenbachers in the United States than there are in Switzerland. It is common in several Midwest states, such as Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and may have first been brought to the US by settlers in the 1700s.

Other countries with a significant number of people bearing the Rickenbacher name are Canada, Mexico, Germany, Argentina and Australia. In Canada, the Rickenbacher name is found mainly in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. In Mexico, the concentration point for this last name is Mexico City. In Argentina, the Rickenbachers mostly reside in the Buenos Aires area. Finally, in Australia, the Rickenbachers are mainly located in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Today, the Rickenbacher name may be more common in the United States than in its ancestral country of Switzerland. It has spread across the nation and is now found in various states and provinces around the world. It has become a part of the global family of surnames and a representation of family history and heritage.

Variations of the surname Rickenbacher

The surname Rickenbacher (also spelled Rickenbacker or Reichenbacher) is a German-origin surname derived from the German rickin, which means ‘ruler’, and bacher, which means ‘one who lives in the backwoods’. This surname is found in various forms across Europe including the United States, where it is pronounced ‘RICKEN-BACKER’.

The variants of this surname include Rickenbower, Rickenbach, Rickenbosch and Rickenbaker, as well as variants that are based off of the original spelling, such as Reichenbauer, Reickenbacher, Reickenborough, and Reeckenbacher.

In the United States, the surname has a variety of spellings and variants, including Rickenback, Rickenbackers, and Rickenberg. It is also sometimes confused with other similar German-origin surnames, such as Reichert, Reichart, Richert, Rippert, Reichel, Risch and Richet.

In Europe, where the original surname is found, variants include Rickenbacher, Rickanbacher, Reichenbacher and Reickenbacher, as well as localized variants such as Reichenbach, Reichenböck, Reichenboch, and Reichenborch.

Due to centuries of migration and language changes, there are a wide variety of spellings and variations of the Rickenbacher surname across the world. Though the surface details may differ, all of these spellings and variants are ultimately of the same origin, providing a unique look into the history and movement of one family.

Famous people with the name Rickenbacher

• Jack Rickenbacher: Director, executive producer, and performer at NBC Universal, specializing in scripted and unscripted programming for the network.
• Eddie Rickenbacker: An American fighter ace in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient.
• Gustave Rickenbacher: Swiss-born American theater operator, chemist, and industrialist.
• Norm Rickenbacher: An American football halfback who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL).
• Peter Rickenbacher: Financial novelist, money manager, and entrepreneur from the United States.
• Johnnie Rickenbacher: Former ocean water speed boat racing driver who set men's world monopoly speed records in the late 1950s.
• Joe Rickenbacher: An American Democratic Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 8th Legislative District.
• Chris Rickenbacher: A former American professional basketball player.
• Hannah Rickenbacher: A German actress.
• Frederick Rickenbacher: Swiss-American military officer who served in World War I.

Other surnames

RickenbachRickenbacker