Show ContentsRiegel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the distinguished German surname Riegel lie in the southern regions of Swabia, Bavaria, and Austria. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "reigel" or "reiger," both meaning "heron." The name was likely first bestowed on someone thought to have the characteristics of a heron as a nickname, eventually becoming a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Riegel family

The surname Riegel was first found in Swabia, where the name is thought to have originated. The documents listing the earliest known bearer of the name have been traced to this region, where B. den Raiger was recorded to be living in Mengen, Württemburg in 1275. The young Riegel family was instrumental during this early period, playing a crucial role in the development of medieval Swabian society.

Early History of the Riegel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Riegel research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1493, 1525, 1660 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Riegel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riegel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reigel, Reigle, Reiger, Reigl and others.

Early Notables of the Riegel family

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

Riegel Ranking

In the United States, the name Riegel is the 10,310th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Riegel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Riegel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Gottfried Riegel, who arrived in New York in 1709 [2]
  • Christoph Riegel, who arrived in New York, NY in 1710-1714 [2]
  • George Riegel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 [2]
  • Malteis Riegel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 [2]
  • Mathias Riegel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Riegel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Riegel, aged 41, who landed in Missouri in 1846 [2]
  • Valentine Riegel, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1860 [2]
  • Peter Riegel, who arrived in North America in 1870 [2]
Riegel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Edgard Riegel, aged 28, who landed in America from Schlettstedt, Germany, in 1904
  • Adolf Riegel, aged 17, who settled in America from Laudenbach, Germany, in 1907
  • Aloysius Riegel, aged 14, who immigrated to the United States from Laudenbach, Germany, in 1907
  • Anna Riegel, aged 11, who landed in America from Laudenbach, Germany, in 1907
  • Ernst Riegel, aged 23, who landed in America from Aspach, Germany, in 1908
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Riegel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Riegel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Riegel, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757

Contemporary Notables of the name Riegel (post 1700) +

  • Tatiana S. Riegel A.C.E., American Daytime Emmy Award nominated film editor
  • Robert Henry "Skee" Riegel (1914-2009), American professional golfer
  • Samuel "Sam" Riegel (b. 1976), American voice actor, writer and director
  • Eden Riegel (b. 1981), American actress, recipient of a Daytime Emmy Award
  • Edwin Clarence "E.C." Riegel (1879-1953), American independent scholar, author and consumer advocate
  • John M. Riegel (b. 1852), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Bay County 2nd District, 1901-02 [3]
  • G. William Riegel, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1904-17 [3]
  • Johannes Peter "Hans" Riegel (1923-2013), German entrepreneur, owner of the confectionery maker Haribo since 1946, his father invented the Gummi bear in 1922
  • Christina Riegel (b. 1965), German silver and bronze medalist figure skater
  • Hans Riegel (b. 1923), German entrepreneur
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  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, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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