Show ContentsRearick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rearick has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Riordain. The original form of the surname was Ó Rioghbhardain, which was originally derived from the words "riogh bhard," meaning "royal bard."

Early Origins of the Rearick family

The surname Rearick was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster.

Early History of the Rearick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rearick research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Rearick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rearick Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name Rearick family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include O'Riordan, Riordan, O'Rearden, Rearden and others.

Early Notables of the Rearick family

More information is included under the topic Early Rearick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rearick Ranking

In the United States, the name Rearick is the 10,854th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Rearick migration to the United States +

In the 18th and 19th centuries, thousands of Irish families fled an Ireland that was forcibly held through by England through its imperialistic policies. A large portion of these families crossed the Atlantic to the shores of North America. The fate of these families depended on when they immigrated and the political allegiances they showed after they arrived. Settlers that arrived before the American War of Independence may have moved north to Canada at the war's conclusion as United Empire Loyalists. Such Loyalists were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Those that fought for the revolution occasionally gained the land that the fleeing Loyalist vacated. After this period, free land and an agrarian lifestyle were not so easy to come by in the East. So when seemingly innumerable Irish immigrants arrived during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s, free land for all was out of the question. These settlers were instead put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Whenever they came, Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name Rearick or a variant listed above, including:

Rearick Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ella L. Rearick, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
  • Norwooth Rearick, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
  • Walter Rearick, aged 68, who immigrated to Ashland, IL, in 1924
  • Helen Rearick, aged 39, who immigrated to Ashland, IL, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Rearick (post 1700) +

  • Janet Cox- Rearick (b. 1930), American art historian
  • Dave Rearick (1934-1960), American rock climber and mathematician, best known for his ascent of the Diamond which was reported in newspapers across America in 1960
  • Norman L. Rearick, American politician, Candidate for Governor of Delaware, 1912 2
  • George F. Rearick, American politician, Mayor of Danville, Illinois, 1919 2
  • David Rearick, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 55th District, 1919-22 2


The Rearick Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro Deo et patria
Motto Translation: For God and country.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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