Rathke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Rathke is derived from the Middle Low German "redik" for radish. The name was therefore occupational, applied to greengrocers, such as the Reddich recorded in Greifswald in 1303, and the one in Stralsund in 1325.

Early Origins of the Rathke family

The surname Rathke was first found in Austria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. One of the first written records of the name dates from the year 1245 when one Nicolus dictus (son of) Rettich was listed on the live Register of Freiburg. In their later history they became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they developed into this most influential family.

Early History of the Rathke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rathke research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1784 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Rathke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rathke Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rettich, Rettig, Retteg, Rettick, Retich, Retig, Retick, Reddig (northern Germany), Reddich (northern Germany), Rethke, Rettke (Slavic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Rathke family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rathke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rathke migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rathke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christopher Rathke, who landed in Mississippi in 1857 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Rathke (post 1700) +

Wade Rathke (b. 1948), American co-founder of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
Martin Heinrich Rathke (1793-1860), German biologist

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)