Surname Reichenbacher - Meaning and Origin

Reichenbacher: What does the surname Reichenbacher mean?

The last name Reichenbacher is of German origin. It is derived from the term Reich, which is German for "rich". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was someone who had a high social or financial status.

The last name Reichenbacher is likely an occupational name as well, as the root word of Reichenbacher is similar to Reichsbaumeister, which means, 'masters of work for the state'. This likely refers to someone who held an important government job or position.

The surname may also refer to someone who lived near a rich estate, owned a special type of property, or had ownership of some kind of building or office. Additionally, it could also refer to someone who held a prestigious office in a certain area. Therefore, the last name Reichenbacher could have had multiple possible origins.

The name Reichenbacher is now found mainly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States, and is most commonly associated with German families and members of the German-American community.

In conclusion, the last name Reichenbacher is of German origin and is likely derived from someone of a high station or having an important government job or position. It is now associated mainly with German families and members of the German-American community.

Reichenbacher: Where does the name Reichenbacher come from?

The last name Reichenbacher is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the southern and central regions of the country. There is also a significant presence in Austria and Switzerland, especially near the German border. Historically, it was much more widespread across Europe, with notable concentrations in the Netherlands, northern France, and parts of Belgium.

The origin of the name is unclear with some sources suggesting that it derives from the placename Reichenbach or some variation of it. Reichenbach means “rich stream" and is a common place name across Europe. It is possible then that the name is of local origin and originally referred to those who came from a place named Reichenbach.

The name appears to have been in use since at least the middle ages, with records going back to the 12th century, though it is not clear how long it had been in use before then.

Today, Reichenbacher is still a moderately common surname in Germany, with about 1,700 people bearing the name according to one recent survey. It is much less common elsewhere, but still has a presence in the countries where German is spoken, and in other places where German immigrants settled.

Variations of the surname Reichenbacher

The surname Reichenbacher is a variant of the German-based name Reichenbach. It is a topographical name meaning “rich brook” in German, derived from the Old High German 'richo' meaning “rich” and 'bach' meaning “stream” or “brook”. The surname is typically spelled Reichenbacher, but other variations include Reichenbach, Riechenbach, and Riechenbacher. Other surnames of similar origin and associations include Rickenbacher, Reichenberg, Reichert, Reichen, Reich, and Reichel. The name has been spelled in different ways over the centuries, which is typical of German surnames.

The surname Reichenbacher likely originated from many places throughout Germany, but the original family seat is believed to have been in Franconia, which was once a German dukedom in the region known as Bavaria that was subsequently annexed to Bavaria. It could also have originated in Saxony, an East German region that was once part of the Holy Roman Empire, or elsewhere in Germany and other German-speaking areas of Europe.

The Reichenbacher name is quite rare, but there are several famous people who have held the name throughout history. These include Wolfgang Reichenbacher, a German racing cyclist, and Johann Philipp Reichenbach, a German astronomer and spectacle maker credited with the invention of the achromatic objective, the refracting telescope. Overall, the surname Reichenbacher is an old, German-based name, with variants, spellings, and associated surnames that have been in use for centuries.

Famous people with the name Reichenbacher

• Willi Reichenbacher: A German singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and artist from Munich, Germany.
• Julius Reichenbacher: Also known as Julius von Reichenbach, a German actor and director (1841–1917).
• Friedrich Reichenbacher: A German composer best known for his operas (1768-1844).
• Johannes Reichenbacher: A German playwright (1768-1844).
• MEETY Reichenbacher: A German-American musical artist who performs and produces music in the pop, rock, and alternative genres.
• Johannes Reichenbacher: A German actor and director (1826-1886).
• Karl Reichenbacher: A German botanist and professor of natural history at the University of Jena (1850-1916).
• Gerhard Reichenbacher: A German painter (1850-1936).
• Johann Reichenbacher: A German linguist and archivist (1711-1776).
• Heinrich Reichenbacher: An Austrian pastor and philosopher (1787-1856).
• Joseph Reichenbacher: A German architect and sculptor (1792-1848).
• Franz Reichenbacher: A German entrepreneur and philanthropist (1795-1881).
• Emil Reichenbacher: A German physiotherapist (1860-1908).
• Martha Reichenbacher: A German operatic soprano (1790-1854).
• Christian Reichenbacher: A German sculptor (1826-1864).
• Susanne Reichenbacher: A German biologist and conservationist (1953-2018).

Other surnames

Reichenbach