Show ContentsReichel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Reichel family

The surname Reichel was first found in Switzerland, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation, and would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Reichel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reichel research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1277, 1286, 1342, 1356, 1610, 1635, 1637, 1645, 1667, 1697, 1717, 1720 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Reichel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reichel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reich, Reiche, Reichs, Reicher, Reick, Reicke, Reicker, Reichers, Rike, Ryke, Rycke, Reichle, Reichel, Riker and many more.

Early Notables of the Reichel family

Notables of the time with the surname Reichel were

  • Petrus Reich von Reichenstein, who was the Bishop of Basel in 1286. Gottfried Reiche (1667-1734), was German trumpet player and composer of the Baroque era, Johann Sebastian Bach's chief trumpeter. Ju...

Reichel Ranking

In the United States, the name Reichel is the 9,401st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Reichel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reichel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John George Reichel, aged 32, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 [2]
  • Johannes Reichel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1770 [2]
Reichel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Reichel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1804 [2]
  • Mr. Franz Reichel, aged 22, who arrived in New Orleans in 1845 aboard the ship "Agnes"
  • Karl Friedrich Reichel, who arrived in North America in 1847 [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Reichel (post 1700) +

  • Richard Reichel, American Ohio politician
  • Matthew Reichel (b. 1981), Illinois politician and activist
  • Carleton Lewis Kealiʻinaniaimokuokalani Reichel (b. 1961), American popular and bestselling singer, songwriter, choreographer, dancer, chanter, scholar, teacher
  • William F. Reichel, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1940 (alternate), 1948, 1952, 1956; Candidate for Presidential Elector for California, 1944 [3]
  • Ione M. Reichel, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1960; Member of Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 1961 [3]
  • Fred J. Reichel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Outagamie County 2nd District, 1956, 1958 [3]
  • Friedrich Paul Reichel (1858-1934), German surgeon
  • Erwin H. Reichel (1911-1943), German Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen SS during World War II
  • Fritz Schulz Reichel (1912-1990), German jazz and pop pianist
  • Robinson Reichel (b. 1966), German television actor
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Walter Reichel (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [4]
  • Rudolf Reichel (1921-1941), German Funkgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [4]
  • Alois Reichel (1919-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [4]


  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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


Houseofnames.com on Facebook