Surname Rickelen - Meaning and Origin

Rickelen: What does the surname Rickelen mean?

The last name Rickelen is of Dutch origin, derived from the Middle Dutch given name "Rikel" which is a variant of Richard, meaning ruler of a kingdom or brave power. The name was popular among Dutch families in the Middle Ages.

The earliest known recordings of the name Rickelen appears in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Later records of the name in the Netherlands include merchant Jan Rickelen who was listed in the city of Utrecht in the year 1659. Records also show that the family of Gerrit van Rickelen arrived in New York in the 19th century. From these records it has been determined that the Rickelen family is likely of Dutch origin.

The Rickelen family has likely had many prestigious members, some contributing to the fields of science, research and literature. Some Rickelsens have held positions of power in politics or business, while others are well known in their respective fields.

Rickelens are known to be brave, trustworthy and creative people, often having a curiosity for the world and an affinity for knowledge. Those with the name Rickelen also tend to possess strong leadership skills, and can be found making strong contributions to the fields of literature, science, business and politics.

Rickelen: Where does the name Rickelen come from?

The surname Rickelen is most commonly found throughout western and eastern Europe, particularly in areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found in the United States, although at much lower levels than Europe. On records site MyHeritage, Rickelen is reported as being most commonly found in the US states of California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Florida.

In Germany, Rickelen is found most often in the southern and western parts of the country. It is also reported in Austria, most often in the southern region and particularly in the states of Styria and Carinthia. The surname is also reported in the Swiss cantons Uri, Schwyz, and Glarus.

By contrast, the US populations that list the surname as part of the national database speak largely to European origins. Records in the United States go back to the mid- to late-1800s, peaking in the 1940s. The states that report the greatest numbers of Rickelen are California, Oregon, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

In terms of today's cultural landscape, the surname has become relatively obscure in the United States, with only scant few bearing the name. However, given its European origins, it continues to be readily found throughout the old country and can still be documented in modern records. Given the families' strong ties to Europe, this surname is likely to remain in circulation for a long time to come.

Variations of the surname Rickelen

The surname Rickelen has various variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. The most common variants are Rickleman, Riggleman, Rigglemann, Rigglemin, Rigglemine, Rickelman, Rickels, Rickles, Rieckle, Riegelman, Riegelmani, Riekelman, Riekles, Rigelman, and Riggleman.

The surname Rickelen originates from Germany and is derived from the Middle German word “riche” which means powerful or strong. It is a habitational name, most likely derived from the city or town called Riekel which is located near Dusseldorf.

The earliest known instance of the surname being used was in 1380 when Heinrich Rickelan was recorded as an inhabitant of Flanders. Hans Rigelman was mentioned in the records of the city of Arnstadt in 1595 and George Riggleman was mentioned in the records of Ellis Island in 1900 when he immigrated to the United States.

The surname has spread to other parts of Europe and the world. It is frequently found throughout Germany, Belgium, and England as well as in various parts of the United States. Variant spellings and spellings of similar origin are found in Austria, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.

The surname Rickelen is both unique and common and it is a reminder of the traditions and culture of the people who originated from it.

Famous people with the name Rickelen

• Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003), German film director
• Olli Rehn (born 1962), Finnish politician
• Thorsten Ricken (born 1979), German footballer
• Julian Rickelen (born 1988), German actor
• Stephanie Ricken (born 1989), German singer and model
• Jessica Ricken (born 1993), German cyclist
• Laura Rickelen (born 1994), German singer and songwriter
• Anna-Lena Ricken (born 1997), German singer
• Matti Rickelen (born 1998), German basketball player
• Daniel Rickelen (born 1999), German-Finnish football player

Other surnames

Rickel