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![Show Contents]() Reker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
Bavaria, Germany is the ancestral home of the Reker family. The Germans began using hereditary surnames in the 12th century. Reker is an occupational name, which was derived from the kind of work done by the original bearer. It is a name for a wheelmaker or wheelwright. The name stems from the German noun rat, meaning wheel. The origin is more clear in the variant "Rademacher." Early Origins of the Reker familyThe surname Reker was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. Chronicles first mention Cuncz Redler in 1259 in Iglau, Hans Redel and A. Radel of Bohemia in 1407, Johann Radler of Znaim in 1420, and the knight Goslaus von Redern in 1292 near Neisse. Often the name was associated with work involving mills, but might also stemm from wheel makers (thus the old variation "Rademacher"). From the earliest times, though, it was widespread and not restricted to a profession. The name branched into many houses whose contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. Early History of the Reker familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reker research. Another 213 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1278, 1549, 1716 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Reker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Reker Spelling VariationsOne 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 Reker include Rad, Raed, Raeder, Rehder, Redder, Rader, Raders, Rade, Radder, Redler, Redl, Raedler, Redler, Radl, Rademacher, Radenmacher and many more. Early Notables of the Reker familyAnother 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Reker familyBetween the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Reker or a variant listed above: Thomas Raed, who came to Virginia in 1656. Christian Raeder arrived in Philadelphia in 1844; as did Jacob Raeder, and they were preceded by Philip Raeder in 1842. Hans Jerig Reder came to Philadelphia in 1727.
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