Surname Riels - Meaning and Origin

Riels: What does the surname Riels mean?

The surname Riels does not have a specific meaning associated with it. It appears to be a rare last name of unknown origin. It could potentially be a variant of similar sounding surnames like "Riel" or "Reel". The surname Riel is of French origin and is a topographic name for someone who lived by a strip of woodland, deriving from Old French "rueil". However, without a clear and specific etymological source, the meaning and origin of the surname Riels remains uncertain. It's important to note that surnames can derive from a variety of sources such as occupation, geographical location, a nickname, or even a characteristic. Thus, without additional historical or genealogical information, it is challenging to provide a precise meaning for the surname Riels.

Riels: Where does the name Riels come from?

The surname Riels is mainly found in the Netherlands but is also present in other countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. There is evidence of Riels in the Netherlands dating back to the 15th century and the first recorded instance was a school teacher in Wormer, Netherlands in 1600.

The name Riels is of Dutch origin but it is not entirely clear what the meaning is. Some sources suggest it may have derived from the verb 'rijselen', an old Dutch term which means 'to be full of energy'. Other sources suggest the name comes from the place-name Ryel near Ommen, Overijssel.

Today, the surname Riels is actually quite common in the Netherlands, particularly in the northern provinces. In Belgium, the name has become more common in recent decades, particularly in the northern province of Flanders. In France, the name is not very common although there are some families, especially in the Nord department. In Germany, the name is rare although it does exist in small pockets in the south western region. In America, Riels is not common but there are some families living today, mainly in the western states.

Overall, the surname Riels is most common in the countries that have historically been part of the low countries, especially the Netherlands and Belgium. Nowadays, it is also found in other countries including France, Germany and the United States.

Variations of the surname Riels

The surname Riels has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname include Rials, Ryalls, Realls, Ryles, Reilley, Riley, and Ramsay.

Riels is an Americanization of the Dutch/Flemish surname Ryles, which is itself a patronymic version of the first name Reil or Reile. Other variants of these names are Ryalls, Realls, and Rials. Spelling variations of Riels include Riley, Reilley, and Ramsay.

The Ryles/Reil/Reile designation is derived from the Old Germanic ri-laf, which came to mean “lion-like.” So, a person with a surname Ryles, could be said to have “lion-like” ancestors and a symbolic connection to the lion’s prowess and strength.

The surname Rials has French roots and is derived from the word rial, which means “strong tree.” Similarly, the variant surnames of Realls and Ryalls originated in Germany, with the root word rial.

The name Riley could be derived from an Old Irish surname O'Raghallaigh, which means “descendants of the valiant one.”

The surname Reilley could also be a variant of Riley, as both spellings can be found in Ireland. The name Ramsay, on the other hand, has Scots-Irish origin and comes from the place names Ramsaa and Ramey, both located in Scotland.

The various surnames related to Riels have a shared meaning of ancestry, power, strength, and courage. People with these surnames are likely connected in ways that reach back to ancient times, and highlights their status as strong and courageous individuals.

Famous people with the name Riels

• Louis Riel: Famous leader of the Métis people of the Canadian Prairie during the 19th century, and a founder of the province of Manitoba.
• Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Riel: Brother of Louis Riel and a Canadian engineer and merchant.
• Gabrielle Riel: Former executive director of St Anselm's Mission Foundation.
• Leonard Riel: Canadian hockey player who became a lawyer.
• François-Joseph-Olivier Riel: Canadian Forced in World War I.
• Henry Riel: Member of the Riel family who went by the name of Charles Riel.
• Louis Riel Jr.: Son of Louis Riel and General in the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Tasha Riel: Canadian-born ballerina.
• Wilfrid Riel: Canadian lawyer who served as a judge on the Superior Court of Quebec.
• Joseph Riel: Son of Louis Riel and a doctor.
• David Riel: Canadian business and political leader.
• Charles Riel: Canadian doctor, son of Louis Riel.
• Jean Riel: Father of Louis Riel, merchant and political leader.
• Thomas Riel: An early settler in Manitoba and a leader of the Métis in the area now known as Manitoba.
• Guilluame Riel: Quebec-based politician.
• Pierre Riel: Brother of Louis Riel, merchant and politician.
• Alfred Riel: Canadian stockbroker, son of Louis Riel.
• Alexina Riel: Canadian-born artist.
• Christian Riel: Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Other surnames

RielRieleRielingRielly