Surname Rickmers - Meaning and Origin
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Rickmers: What does the surname Rickmers mean?
The last name Rickmers is a German surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word “richemere”, which means sailor, and was likely a nickname for someone in a nautical profession. Alternatively, it could be derived from a village called Rikmers near Oldenburg in Germany, in which case it would be a locational name. It is most commonly found in Northern Germany today; however, it is also common in Australia, South Africa, and the United States.
The Rickmers family surname is associated with several famous figures. For example, there is Otto Oscar Rickmers, the German entrepreneur who founded the Rickmers company and shipping line in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the family name belonged to Hans Joachim Rickmers who was an officer in the German Navy during World War II and is descended from Otto Oscar Rickmers.
Today, the Rickmers family continues to remain active within the shipping industry as well as other fields. For example, Dirk-Joachim Rickmers – Hans Joachim Rickmers’ son – is the CEO of STAR Capital, a fund management organisation. The family’s legacy is clear, especially in the shipping industry, where it continues to be a prominent name.
Order DNA origin analysisRickmers: Where does the name Rickmers come from?
The Rickmers surname is most commonly found in Germany. It is also found in the United States, the Netherlands, Brazil, and other countries in Europe. The name is derived from the Middle High German ‘ricmer’, and is also related to the name ‘Rice’.
In Germany, the surname can be found mainly in the northern part of the country around the city of Bremen and in Schleswig-Holstein, an area which borders the North Sea. It is also found in the west-central part of the country in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the United States, the Rickmers surname can most commonly be found in Ohio and Pennsylvania, which is likely due to German immigration to these states in the 19th century. The highest concentration is in Cincinnati, Ohio. The overall population of Rickmers’s in the USA is estimated to be between 9,000 and 11,000 people.
The Netherlands also has a strong population of Rickmerss. Most of them are concentrated around the city of Rotterdam and the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht. Approximately 4,000 people in the Netherlands have the Rickmers surname.
Although the Rickmers surname is more common in Germany and the Low Countries, it is growing in popularity around the world. Today, it can be found in Canada, Australia, the UK, South Africa, India, and other countries. It is a great reminder of the interconnectedness of the world in which we live.
Variations of the surname Rickmers
The Rickmers surname has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Examples of these are Röckmeyer, Reckmeyer, Rickmeyer, Rickmaier, Rakmaier, Ryckmaier, Rieckmaier, Rickemeier, Rykema, Miers, and Mirs. These variations are mostly associated with regions in Germany, with the most popular being Rickmers and Röckmeyer.
Röckmeyer is believed to be derived from the German words röcke which means 'ransack' and meier which means 'mayor'. This suggests the name was given to a mayor who was in charge of controlling and regulating ransacks or raids. This is supported by the fact that the surname is primarily found in Germany, and is not commonly found in other countries.
The spelling Rickmeyer is a phonetic variant of the original spelling, which is why it is so common. It is thought that the spelling was altered to make the pronunciation easier for German-speakers.
Ryckma is another popular variation of the surname. It is derived from the words ryke, which means 'ridge', and ma, which means 'meadow'. This could mean that the original bearer of the name was a man who lived in or near a ridge meadow.
Rickmaier is another variation of the Rickmer surname. It is believed to have been derived from the word ric which means 'rich', and maier which means 'mayor'. This could suggest the original bearer of the name was a wealthy mayor or magistrate.
Lastly, Miers and Mirs are derived from the word meyer which means 'mayor'. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was from a family of mayors.
Overall, the Rickmer surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly associated with German regions and is derived from words related to mayors and ransacks.
Famous people with the name Rickmers
- Bertram Rickmers: A German entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist, former CEO and chairman of the shipping company Bernhard Schulte Ship management.
- Reimer Rickmers: Former CEO of German shipping company Rickmers Holding.
- Wilhelm Rickmers: Former captain of the German merchant fleet during World War II.
- Carl Rickmers: Commander of the Imperial skies in World War I and founder of the Rickmers Shipbuilding and Line Agency business.
- Georg Rickmers: Co-founder of German shipbuilding company Rickmers Shipyard.
- Gustav Rickmers: German entrepreneur and businessman who was a major influence in the early 20th century shipping industry.
- Till Rickmers: A German actor, director, and playwright known best for his role in the TV series Alarm für Cobra 11- Die Autobahnpolizei. 8.a Claus D. Rickmers: A German industrialist, former managing director, and chairman of the Board of the Rickmers Group of Companies. 8.b Claus Rickmers-Börries: Current CEO and chairman of the Board of the Rickmers Group of Companies.
- Alexander Rickmers: Co-owner and managing director of the Rickmers Shipyards Group.
- Claus Otto Rickmers: Former chairman of the ship-owning firm C.O. Rickmers.