Show ContentsRiser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origin of the proud surname Riser can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. In the Middle Ages, many of the Bohemians were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travel became more prevalent, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Riser family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig,"and the surname was an occupational name for a wood carver.

Early Origins of the Riser family

The surname Riser was first found in Bohemia, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. They later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Chronicles first mention Clesse Reysse of Mainz in 1444, and Leonhart Reiser of Nuremberg in 1443. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig." Reisser could also refer to a wood carver.

Early History of the Riser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Riser research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1606, 1645, 1870, 1897 and 1940 are included under the topic Early Riser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riser Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reis, Reisle (Bavaria, Swabia), Reiss, Reisse, Riess, Ries, Reise, Reisz, Reiser, Reisser, Riser, Reysse, Reys, Reyss, Rice, Ris, Risse, Rise, Risle and many more.

Early Notables of the Riser family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Riser Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riser Ranking

In the United States, the name Riser is the 11,316th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Riser migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Riser Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Riser, who landed in Virginia in 1651 [2]
Riser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Ulrich Riser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "Adventurer John Davies" [2]
  • Jacob Riser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "Adventurer John Davies" [2]
  • Hans Georg Riser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 [2]
  • Bartholomaus Riser, (b. 1682), who arrived in Georgia in 1734 aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" [2]
  • Mrs. Maria Zugeisen Riser, (1712-1737), who arrived in Georgia in 1734 aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Riser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Abraham Riser, aged 42, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 [2]
  • John Albright Riser, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 [2]
  • Lewis Riser, aged 13, who arrived in Nebraska in 1880 [2]
  • Margaret Riser, aged 6, who landed in Nebraska in 1880 [2]
  • Martin Riser, aged 9, who arrived in Nebraska in 1880 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Riser (post 1700) +

  • Hartwell Neil Riser Jr., (b. 1962), American funeral home owner and politician, Louisiana State Senator from District 32 (2008-)
  • Matt Riser (b. 1984), American college head coach of the Southeastern Louisiana Lions baseball program


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)


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