Ritz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name may be of patronymic origin, derived from the first name of the father. The name Ritz would indicate the "son of Ritz," a pet form of either Richard or Heinrich. The personal name Richard is derived from the Old High German word "rihhi" meaning power or rule, and "hardus" meaning hard, brave, or strong. Heinrich comes from either the Old High German word "hagan" meaning enclosure or hedged in place or "heim or haim" meaning home or settlement. The second part derived from "rihhi." The name may also be of locative origin, from a geographical feature near where the bearer once lived or held land. The toponym Ritz is derived from the Old High German word "hriot" meaning reeds, and thus the name would indicate "one who dwelled near a reedy or swampy place.

Early Origins of the Ritz family

The surname Ritz 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. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The earliest record of the surname Ritz dates back to the thirteenth century when one Marquard Rizi was recorded in Lindau in 1276. In 1385 one Jakob Ritsch was living in Nydau and Joh. Ritzi was a choirmaster in Constance in 1423.

Early History of the Ritz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ritz research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1604 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Ritz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ritz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ritz, Ritzel, Ritzenberg, Ritze, Ritzen, Ritzer and many more.

Early Notables of the Ritz family

Prominent among members of the name Ritz in this period include

the Ritz family of Bavaria

Ritz Ranking

In the United States, the name Ritz is the 5,768^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [1]

Ritz migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ritz Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christian Ritz, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 [2]
Johan Geo Ritz, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1751 [2]
Anthony Ritz, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1764 [2]
Frederick Augustus Rudolphus B Ritz, who arrived in New England in 1784 [2]
John Ritz, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1794 [2]

Ritz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jean Ritz, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 [2]
Franz Ritz, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1848 [2]
Nicolaus Ritz, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 [2]
Philippina Ritz, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 [2]
Jacob Ritz, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Ritz (post 1700) +

W. A. Ritz, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Washington, 1912 [3]
Stewart L. Ritz, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Richmond County 2nd District, 1919 [3]
Russell Sage Ritz (1886-1933), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1932 [3]
Harold Arthur Ritz (1873-1948), American Republican politician, Circuit Judge in West Virginia, 1906; U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, 1909-13; Judge of West Virginia supreme court of appeals, 1917-22 [3]
George A. Ritz, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Monroe County 3rd District, 1914 [3]
Joseph P Ritz, American author, playwright and retired journalist
James L Ritz (1874-1896), American third baseman in Major League Baseball
Charles C Ritz (1891-1976), American hotelier and fly fishing specialist
Kevin D. Ritz (b. 1965), former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher
David Ritz (b. 1942), American author
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ritz family +

Monongah Mine

Mr. Mike Ritz (b. 1884), American coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [4]

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).