Surname Riegel - Meaning and Origin

Unfurling the Tapestry of My Family Name: DNA Analysis Unveils the Rich History of the Riegels

I recently had my DNA analysed by iGENEA, aiming to discover the history and Legacy of the family name Riegel. The results portrayed a tapestry of Central and East European heritage, further uncovering the Germanic origins of my surname. This exploration has ushered in new depths of understanding, maping my family's course through history and shedding light on our consequential role in the medieval communities.

U. Riegel

Riegel: What does the surname Riegel mean?

The last name Riegel is of German origin and can be found in both Germany and the United States. It is derived from the Middle High German word “riegel”, which means “fence” or “barrier”. This name likely first appeared as a nickname for someone who lived near or tended a fence—or perhaps it was a descriptive name for someone who was particularly good at building them.

Today, the name Riegel is most often associated with the famed German sweets maker, Ferdinand Riegel, who in 1894 founded what is now known worldwide as the globally renowned Haribo candy company. Beyond its name recognition in the sweet confectionary world, the Riegel name is also found in many parts of society—from business executives, to politicians, to academicians.

The Riegel name carries with it a sense of strength and resilience, often referencing qualities of steadfastness, fortitude and perseverance. It is a reminder to stand our ground and be strong in the face of challenge and difficulty. Those who carry it have often demonstrated such characteristics in the pursuit of their ambitions and desires.

The Riegel name is an admirable one with a deep and multi-faceted history that deserves the utmost respect.

Riegel: Where does the name Riegel come from?

The last name Riegel can be found today in various countries around the world. In the United States, Riegel is a relatively common surname, ranking 1,571 in terms of popularity. Many Riegel families can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Illinois, and California. In Germany, Riegel is a more common surname, ranking 141 of the most popular surnames. It is thought that the majority of Riegel families in Germany originated from areas formerly ruled by the German Empire. In Canada, approximately 1,220 individuals have the last name Riegel, making it the 7,235th most common last name. Riegel can also be found in France, Austria, and Switzerland, with roughly 1,500 people having that particular surname. Additionally, some individuals with the last name Riegel live in the United Kingdom, with the majority of them found in Scotland. Finally, Riegel is also found in Brazil, where it is the 3,347th most common surname. All in all, the last name Riegel is found throughout numerous parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Riegel

The surname Riegel is said to have originated in Germany and a variety of different spellings and variants have developed over time from this root name.

Common variants of Riegel include Reigel, Reigle, Reegel, Reig al, Regal, Regelsberger, Reichel, Reichert and Reichle. It is also common to see spelling variations of Riegel as Reigel, Reigle, Reegel, Reigal, Regal, and Regelsberger.

Riegel is also seen in surnames such as Riegelman, reglitz, Reigl, Reigelsberger, Reigler, Reigelman, Regelsbergen, Rigel, Reitemer, Retemeyer, Reinhold, Riehl, and Reigelna.

In Dutch, the surname is usually spelt Riégel. The Swedish version of Riegel is Rigel and the Norwegian version of it is Rigel or Ryggel.

The origin of the surname Riegel is also found in places such as England, France, and Belgium. Variants of it in England are Reegell, Reeg, Regal, and Regell. In France, the surname is usually spelt Régels or Rigel while in Belgium it is usually spelt Rygel or Riegel.

While the most common spelling of Riegel is with an 'ei', some variations of it can also use an 'i'. Examples of this include Riegle, Reichle and Reichel.

Famous people with the name Riegel

• Barbara Riegel McNamara: retired American mathematician and computer scientist
• Erika Riegel: former German politician and the former vice president of the Bundestag
• Heloise Riegel: French fashion designer in the early 20th century
• Jessica Riegel: American artist and multi-media performer
• Joseph Riegel: American professional football player
• Karl-Theodor Riegel: German economist
• Leonard Riegel: American WWI flying ace
• Mark Riegel: American cartoonist
• Máté Riegel: Hungarian actor with a leading role in Hungarian classic comedies
• Paul Riegel: German chemist and inventor
• Regine Riegel: German author and poet
• Randal Riegel: American violinist, composer and music producer
• Reto Riegel: Swiss economist and professor at the University of Zurich
• Ronald Riegel: American sculptor and designer
• Sophie Riegel: LCSW, nationally recognized clinical social worker and psychotherapist
• Thomas Riegel: German chess player and a three-time German Chess Champion

Other surnames

RiegellRiegerRiegerlRiegermann