Surname Reeckers - Meaning and Origin

Reeckers: What does the surname Reeckers mean?

The last name Reeckers is of Dutch origin and is believed to have arisen independently in several areas of the Netherlands. The word ‘Reeckers’ is derived from either the Dutch verb ‘recken’ which means to count or calculate or the noun ‘reck’ which refers to a kind of tax or payment of rent.

Those bearing the Reeckers name are likely descended from ancestors who were agricultural tenants – tenant farmers paid a rent in kind, labor or money – or from individuals who occupied positions such as a tax collector, bookkeeper, paymaster, or the like.

The Reeckers surname is most prevalent in the region of South Holland, Netherlands, where it is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 people currently carry the surname. It is also common in Belgium, Germany, and various other countries with historic Dutch influence.

Various spellings of the surname are known to exist, including Reekers, Reakers, Reekin, Rekin, Rekeers, Rekers, and Reckers, among others. Despite the changes in spelling, those of the Reeckers surname often share a common ancestry.

Overall, the Reeckers surname is quite unique and firmly rooted in Dutch history. It is likely that the term originally referred to an ancestor of that name who served in some capacity related to taxation or rent, or to someone who performed various other kinds of calculations or accounting.

Reeckers: Where does the name Reeckers come from?

The last name Reeckers is most commonly found in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. It is estimated that there are approximately 2,800 people within these countries who share this surname. The surname first originated in the Dutch city of Breda, which is located in the south of the Netherlands. The Reeckers family has a long history of living in Breda, with the first mention of the surname being in a record of rents from 1311.

Within the Netherlands, the Reeckers name is mainly found in the provinces of North-Brabant and Zeeland, as well as in some of the smaller municipalities near Breda. The highest concentration of the surname Reeckers is found in the small village of Tholen in Zeeland. In Belgium, the name is mostly concentrated in the province of Antwerp.

In Germany, the name Reeckers is mainly found in western Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse regions. These two states share the largest population of Reeckers with more than 1,000 people who have this surname. The city of Frankfurt am Main has the highest concentration of people with the surname.

The historical roots of the surname Reeckers are most likely Germanic or Dutch in origin. It could also be linked to the geographical region of Reek, which was once part of Gelre, now called Gelderland, a province in the southern Netherlands.

Variations of the surname Reeckers

The surname Reeckers (or Reekers) is a Dutch habitational surname derived from the Old Dutch words "Rik" meaning “ruler” and "Ker" meaning “moat,” so that it is thought to originally have referred to someone who lived near a moated castle or fort. Variants of this surname include Rekers, Rekels, and Reekers. Spelling variants such as Reachr, Reker, Recher, Reechur, Reeckurs, Reechers, and Reeckers are also possible, while the compounds Reekerse and Reekerizer may also be encountered as alternate spellings. Within the Netherlands, there are some surnames that are derived from Reeckers, most notably Reekers-Smits, Reekers-Meijer, Reekers-Jonker, and Reekers-Vinder.

Outside of the Netherlands, Reeckers may be encountered in some form in Belgium, Germany, and the United States, where it is most often spelled as Reekers. In Belgium it may be encountered as Rekers, and in Germany as Reker. Research into the presence of Reeckers or its variants in other countries is underway.

Though Reeckers is a relatively uncommon surname, in some variations it is becoming progressively more popular due to its strong association with Dutch culture. This has in turn been made possible due to the increased prevalence of people with Dutch ancestry seeking to reclaim and trace their heritage from a variety of sources. As more people begin to explore their shared roots, it is likely that the popularity of the surname Reeckers will continue to grow in future.

Famous people with the name Reeckers

• Hans Reeckers: Hans Reeckers is a Dutch football manager and coach, currently managing Fortuna Sittard. He is renowned for playing an attacking style of football with the clubs he manages.
• Koen Reeckers: Koen Reeckers is a Dutch painter and sculptor who works in metal, wood, and bronze to create abstract sculptures. He studied at the Academy of Visual Arts in Rotterdam and was part of the post-war international avant-garde scene in the city during the 1950s.
• Remco Reeckers: Remco Reeckers is a Dutch journalist, publicist, and author. He is best known for writing books such as Netherlands: A Study of Its Society and History, as well as books about the Dutch Royal Family.
• Robert Reeckers: Robert Reeckers is a designer and artist who has exhibited his art in the Tate Modern in London. His work has also been displayed at the Rome Biennale, along with his sculptural works in outdoor spaces.
• Jan-Bert Reeckers: Jan-Bert Reeckers is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Helmond Sport as a midfielder. He joined the club in 2019 and has since made over 20 appearances for them.
• Ronald Reeckers: Ronald Reeckers is an award-winning Dutch filmmaker. He has directed several feature films including Balada tesoem, which won the Silver Diapason at the Festival de Cine de Valladolid. He has also worked on documentaries such as the multi-award-winning Beyond the Mountain.

Other surnames

Reecke