Surname Rygiel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rygiel: What does the surname Rygiel mean?
Rygiel is a surname originating from Poland and other countries in Central Europe. The name is derived from the Old Polish word, “ryg”, which means 'crossbow'. Thus, Rygiel is thought to indicate someone who was an archer or who used or made crossbows. The name is often found in areas of Germany, Russia, Austria and other Eastern European countries.
It is believed that the name Rygiel may have originated as a habitational name for someone who lived in the Rygiel area in Poland. Over time, this area likely gave the name to families who lived there, eventually leading to the name becoming a surname.
By the 1700s, many families with the name Rygiel had migrated to other countries. It is believed that from the 18th and 19th centuries, a significant number of individuals with the name Rygiel emigrated from Poland, and Hungary to the United States.
The name Rygiel is primarily found in Poland today. It is also common in the United States and other parts of the world. In the United States, the name is often spelled as “Ruggiero”, perhaps indicating an Italian or Sicilian origin.
Overall, Rygiel is a unique and distinctive surname originating in Central Europe. It has since spread around the world, in Poland, the United States, and other parts of the world. It is believed to have derived from the Old Polish word ryg, indicating someone who was an archer or who used or made crossbows.
Order DNA origin analysisRygiel: Where does the name Rygiel come from?
The surname Rygiel is an anglicized version of the Polish surname Rzegiel. It is most common in Poland today, with upwards of 10,000 individuals bearing the family name. Though people with the last name Rygiel can be found in other countries, the majority of Rygiel families are concentrated in the country of their origin. In addition to Poland, Rygiel family members also live in Germany, England, Canada, the United States, and France.
In the United States, Rygiel households are most common in the cities of Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; and Detroit, Michigan, as well as the states of Wisconsin and Michigan. Several Rygiel immigrants from Poland made their way to the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and their families settled in cities along the East Coast and throughout the Midwest.
Rygiel descendants continue to make their homes in both Poland and the United States, and the family name is likely to continue to be relatively common as more and more generations pass. Despite the fact that Rygiel family members are spread across the globe, both in their native Poland and other countries, the surname holds a unique significance to them, as it represents the family’s proud Polish heritage.
Variations of the surname Rygiel
The surname Rygiel is derived from the Polish word “rygiel” which means hinge. As such, it is common to find alternate spellings of this name, as well as variant spellings in other languages, such as German, Czech, and Slovak.
In English, the most common and simplest variant of spelling is “Rygiel.” Additionally, you may find variations such as Rigel, Reigel, Reigle, Reegle, Reegell, Rygel, Riegel, and Rygell.
In Germany, common variant spellings include Reigl, Reigle, Reygel, Reygl, and Rigel. Czech and Slovak versions of this surname are usually spelled Riegel, Reigel, and Rygel.
Rygell, Rygel, Reegle, Reigell, Reigl, Reigel, and Reigle are surnames of the same origin that are sometimes seen in North America. Variants of Rygiel have often been used interchangeably when translating documents from Polish, especially since some of these surnames have only minor spelling differences.
Due to immigration of those with the surname Rygiel from Poland, other countries, and to meet changing language preferences, this surname has many variants and spelling options available.
Famous people with the name Rygiel
- Dan Rygiel: is a professional wrestler and actor from Canada who competed in WWE’s NXT brand as a member of No Way Jose’s “Convocation of Captains”.
- Michael Rygiel: is an American voice actor and stand-up comedian, known for his roles in various projects such as Archer, Family Guy, and Samurai Jack.
- John Rygiel: is an actor and film director who has appeared in movies such as “Soul Survivors”, “The Inner Demons”, and “Zoolander”.
- Talia Rygiel: is an American actress best known for her roles in the films “The Last Witch Hunter” and “A Walk in the Woods”.
- Eric Rygiel: is an American television producer who produced the hit television series “Breaking Bad” from 2008 to 2013.
- Paul Rygiel: is an American singer-songwriter who is best known for his popular single “I'm Gonna Be A Man” and for being a semifinalist on the sixth season of American Idol.
- Peter Rygiel: is an actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, notably the miniseries “The Pacific”
- Alan Rygiel: is an American painter whose works focus on themes of identity, beauty, and memory.
- Victor Rygiel: is a music producer and multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, USA, known for his contributions to the hip-hop scene.
- Bill Rygiel: is a former ice hockey player who represented the United States at the 1980 Winter Olympics.