Surname Rückerl - Meaning and Origin
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Rückerl: What does the surname Rückerl mean?
The last name Rückerl is a relatively common German last name, which originates from the Middle High German word ‘rüeckel’, meaning ‘to turn’. This in turn comes from the Old High German word ‘ruochel’, meaning ‘to twist something’ or ‘to turn something’.
It's believed that this last name was originally used to refer to a person who was adept at turning or curving strips of wood to create intricate carvings. This craft was practised by many German artisans during the Middle Ages, and was likely an occupation that was associated with the name Rückerl.
Another theory suggests that the name could be derived from the name Rücker, a nickname for someone who was particularly strong or powerful. It may also have been a name that was given to those who had worked as a farmer or a rancher; a person who was frequently seen riding their horse and managing their herd.
In modern times, the surname is found throughout Germany, as well as other European countries with German populations, such as the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. It is likely that due to its common heritage, the name has been adopted by people around the world over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisRückerl: Where does the name Rückerl come from?
The last name Rückerl is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and some parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is among the top 500 German surnames, although its exact historical origins remain unclear. It could be derived from a nickname for a person who lived near a building with a peak or roof. Alternatively, it could be derived from a place name or a surname indicating someone from that region.
Rückerl doesn't seem to be a particularly uncommon name. In fact, it is most commonly found in areas with a sizable German-speaking population. In Germany, it is particularly popular in Bavaria, Thuringia, Silesia, and a few other regions. According to the German Nationality Law (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz), the surname is part of the legal tradition in these regions and can be used as a personal name.
In Austria, the name is considered to be part of the Austro-Bavarian dialect tradition and is thus widely used throughout the country. Similarly, in Central and Eastern Europe, it is particularly popular in areas with strong historical German-speaking populations, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Poland.
Although the name is primarily associated with the German and Austrian countries, it is also quite common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census data, nearly 3,700 people in the United States possess the last name Rückerl. Thus, the last name Rückerl is quite widespread and it can be found all over the world today.
Variations of the surname Rückerl
The surname Rückerl has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Ruckerl, Rueckl, Reckerl, Reuckl, Retkl, Ruttkl, Ruttl, Ruttel, Rutl, Rutel, Rudel, Riedl, Retzl, Reitl, Reigl, Raigll, Reichl, Reitel, Retel, Recker, Rettel, Ruecker, Rueckerle, Riegerl, Riigerl, Reickert, Raicherl, Rucherl, Rikerl, Reikerl, Rieckert, Reieckert, Ruecherl, Raikel, Rikkl, Rieckertl, and Reickerl.
Some of the spellings and surnames may vary slightly regionally, but generally, any of these would be accepted as the same origin.
Rückerl is a German occupational surname derived from Middle High German ruteler, with the root reuter meaning rider. It is likely that the surname was originally a nickname for a fast rider. The surname likely originated in the region now known as Bavaria or Austria and spread throughout Germany, and to other parts of Europe such as Slovakia and Hungary.
Rückerl is also an uncommon Danish and Swedish surname, likely derived from the German surname and probably adopted by immigrants to those countries.
Overall, Rückerl is a German occupational surname, meaning rider, that has many various spellings and surnames of the same origin. The surname seems to have originated in Germany, and likely spread to various other countries in Europe, including Denmark and Sweden.
Famous people with the name Rückerl
- Heinz Rückerl, German actor
- Eva Rückerl, German singer
- Ondrej Rückerl, Czech former professional basketball player
- Robert Rückerl, Austrian ski jumper
- Regina Rückerl, German voice actress
- Arthur Rückerl, German physicist
- Alex Rückerl, German sport shooter
- Irene Rückerl, Austrian alpine skier
- Inge Rückerl, former German speed skater
- Thomas Rückerl, German statistical physicist