Surname Riel - Meaning and Origin
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Riel: What does the surname Riel mean?
The surname Riel is of old French origin, specifically from the northern regions of France. It is considered to be a topographic name denoting someone who lived by a stream, as it is derived from the Old French word 'ruelle' meaning 'stream'. Over time, 'ruelle' evolved into 'riel'. Beyond this primary meaning, as is common with surnames, it may also carry secondary meanings depending on regional dialects and contexts. Notably, the surname Riel is shared by Louis Riel, a famous Métis political leader in Canada. His advocacy for Métis rights and efforts to preserve Métis culture has led to a broad recognition of the surname Riel within the context of Canadian history. However, his last name's meaning does not necessitate a connection to these political actions or affiliations. While the interpretation of the surname can be influenced by various factors including location, language, and personal history, the primary definition of Riel points to geographical features of one's ancestral home.
Order DNA origin analysisRiel: Where does the name Riel come from?
The last name Riel is most common in the province of Quebec in Canada. It is also found in other parts of Canada and the United States, but is most common in Quebec. In Quebec, the name can be subdivided into two clans charged with different geographical origins: those from Trois-Rivières and those from Montreal, each having exclusive rights to certain areas. The Riel name is a particularly old one, with roots in French-Canadian lineage.
In the early 19th century, the Riel family lived in the old seigneurie of Champlain near Trois-Rivières. Its most famous scion is Louis Riel, a major figure in Canadian history who led two rebellions against the Canadian government in the 19th century.
The numbers of Riel clans today are much smaller than in centuries past, but the name is still quite common throughout Quebec. It is especially common in the regions of Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City. Riel is the 47th most common last name in Quebec. It is also common in other provinces, where it ranks as the 384th most popular surname nationwide. In the United States, the name is quite rare, appearing with only 1,140 occurrences in the U.S. Census of 2000.
Variations of the surname Riel
The surname Riel is of French origin, with variants including Rail, Razel, Rayelle, Riley, Rayel, Reil and Reill.
The surname Riel is derived from the French word, ‘Reel’, meaning ‘Royal’, and it first appears in written records in the 13th century. It may be an occupational name for someone who held a managerial or administrative position, or it could have been adopted from an existing place name.
In countries like France and Canada, the name can be spelled in various ways such as Rielle, Riall, and Ryell. Other spellings include Raël, Rayel, Rehail and Riell.
The name can also be found in different forms including Reale, Reillee, Reillie and Rayelle. In the United Kingdom, it is also spelled in a variety of forms such as Ryle, Rylee, Rilon and Rylea.
Variant surnames of Riel include: Rail, Rayel, Reale, Reill, Reille, Reillee, Riley, Rilon, Rayelle, Ryell, Rielle, Rehail, Riell, and Rylea.
The name can also be found in some Spanish speaking countries such as Mexico, as the variant ‘Rieles.’ Portuguese and other European speaking countries usually spell it as ‘Riel’.
Furthermore, there are also a few surnames derived from Riel, such as Riely, Riely-Farrella, and Reillano, which suggest a combination of Riel and another surname.
Therefore, when researching the surname Riel, one must bear in mind the various forms and spellings, with variants ranging from Rielle and Rayelle to Reill and Ryell.
Famous people with the name Riel
- Louis Riel: a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people, who is now widely regarded as a Canadian folk hero.
- Accobamiin Mary Louise Riel: daughter of Louis Riel and a Métis leader and advocate.
- Gabriel Riel: Step-brother of Louis Riel and a Métis leader in the Canadian West.
- Jean Léonard Riel: a Métis leader and politician from Saskatchewan, who was the first Catholic to seek election in that province.
- Wilfrid Riel: son of Louis Riel and a Métis leader from Alberta.
- Thomas Riel: a Métis leader and politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1886 to 1888.
- Jacques Etienne Riel: a Métis leader and politician in a Manitoba village.
- Jean Baptiste Riel dit L’Irlandais: a fur trader of Scots-Irish and French Canadian descent who was active in the Northwest Territories in the 1800s.
- Guillaume Riel: a Métis leader in Manitoba who served as the secretary of the Métis National Council from 1888 to 1890.
- Joseph Riel: a Métis lawyer in Alberta who was the second president of the Métis National Council.