Surname Richels - Meaning and Origin
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Richels: What does the surname Richels mean?
The last name Richels is of German-Jewish origin. It is derived from the Dutch and German word “richel” which means “ridge”. This suggests that the name originated as an occupational surname, likely denoting someone who lived on or near a ridge. Alternatively, it could have referred to a person who held some kind of role in the construction or repair of ramparts, such as a fortification or a wall.
Richels is likely an establishment name, as it is common in the northern border regions of Germany and the Netherlands. It is also common among the Ashkenazi-Jewish population. This could suggest that the origin of the name comes from Jewish immigrants from this region.
The Richels surname can be found as far back as the 1500s in Germany and the Netherlands. There are several prominent people with the name Richels. One example is Uschi Richels, the German figure skater. Another is Dutch zoologist Nico Richels who was instrumental in the conservation of the Snow Wolf in the Netherlands.
Overall, the surname Richels is derived from the German-Dutch word for ridge, suggesting that the origin of the name is either occupational, referring to someone who lived in or near a ridge, or referring to someone in a role in the construction or repair of walls and fortifications. It is likely an establishment name and common among Jewish populations as well as in northern regions of Germany and the Netherlands. There are several prominent people with the name Richels.
Order DNA origin analysisRichels: Where does the name Richels come from?
The last name Richels is most commonly associated with Central Europe. The name is most frequently found in Germany, with it being particularly concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Hesse. Some other countries where the name is also present in significant numbers are France, Austria, and Switzerland.
Richels is an occupational surname. It was most likely derived from the Middle High German word ‘richel’, which meant ‘person full of spirit’. The name can also be linked to the Dutch word ‘richel’, which is similar and was historically given to those with strong personalities or as a nickname.
The Richels family is believed to have originated in Bavaria and the surrounding areas, after the Middle High German language was widely spoken in the region. The last name generally spread eastwards from here in the 16th and 17th centuries, as a result of religious or economic pressures.
Today, the name Richels is most common in Germany, with numerous branches of the family scattered throughout the country. Many people of the last name can still be found in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in the Netherlands, France, and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Richels
The surname Richels has various variants, many of which are derived from the same origin. The name is usually thought to have come from the Middle Ages, with a possible origin in the Germanic rih, meaning “power”, as well as heil, meaning “blessed” or “lucky”. Other possibilities include of coming from the Middle High German word riechel, which means “daring”, or from the medieval Dutch and Frisian name Rikel, an ancient form of the name Richard.
Variants of the surname Richels include Rychel and Richills. Other variations in spelling include Richell, Reichel, Reichle and Richel. In Ireland, some bearers of Richels may be of Norman French origin, spelling the name Rickles or Rickells.
In some cases, the surname Richels has been used as a nickname. For example, Reychells and Rysells are variations of the name which may have derived from such nicknames. Similarly, other nicknames come from the diminutive forms of the name – such as Riche, Richer and Richey.
Throughout Europe, there are other surnames which may be related to Richels, even though they may not be exact spelling variations of the name. These include the German names Reichl and Reichmann; the Dutch Rijkel and Rijkelman; and the Polish Rychel and Rychlewicz.
In summary, the surname Richels has numerous variants and spellings across Europe, as well as a few related surnames in some regions. Many of these variations have the same origin—a possible combination of the Germanic words for “power” and “blessings”. In addition, some of the variations may have been derived from nicknames, or related to other surnames in some regions.
Famous people with the name Richels
- David Richels: Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League.
- Joe Richels: Professional basketball player from the US who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Emma Richels: American actress, most known for her role as Amy Sykes in the television series “Teen Wolf”.
- Damian Richels: Professional American football running back who played in the NFL for the New England Patriots.
- Jeremy Richels: Musician, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist from the US.
- Jordan Richels: Professional soccer player from Canada, playing in Major League Soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Ryan Richels: American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Alex Richels: Professional figure skater from the US, competing at the international level.
- John Richels: Business executive and former president and chief executive officer of Devon Energy.
- Tom Richels: American race car driver, competing in the Indy Racing League and winning the 2008 Indianapolis 500.