Reichhardt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Reichhardt is a Bavarian nickname surname. German nicknames came from eke-names, or added names, and tended to describe a physical characteristic or other attribute of their initial bearer. Reichhardt is a name for a brave or strong person. It is a common name among the English, French, and Flemish/Dutch communities, as well as the German, and stems from the words ric, meaning power, and hard, meaning hardy or strong.

Early Origins of the Reichhardt family

The surname Reichhardt was first found in Bavaria, 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. The literal meaning of the name is "brave ruler," and chronicles first mention Hantsch Richard of Liegnitz in 1381, and Hans Reichart of Friedland in 1381. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Reichhardt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reichhardt research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1733, 1749, 1752 and 1814 are included under the topic Early Reichhardt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reichhardt Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Reichhardt include Reichhard, Reichhart, Reichard, Reichart, Reichardt, Reickhard, Reichheart, Reikhard, Reickhart, Richard, Reichert and many more.

Early Notables of the Reichhardt family

Prominent among members of the name Reichhardt in this period include Johann Friedrich Reichardt (1752-1814), who was the court composer and conductor to Frederick the Great and Frederick II, and...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reichhardt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reichhardt migration to the United States +

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Reichhardt surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Reichhardt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Reichhardt, who settled in Philadelphia in 1840
Julius Gustav Reichhardt, who landed in America in 1861 1

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)