Reichartz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Reichartz

What does the name Reichartz mean?

The surname Reichartz is a Bavarian nickname surname. German nicknames came from eke-names, or added names, and tended to describe a physical characteristic or other attribute of their initial bearer. Reichartz is a name for a brave or strong person. It is a common name among the English, French, and Flemish/Dutch communities, as well as the German, and stems from the words ric, meaning power, and hard, meaning hardy or strong.

Early Origins of the Reichartz family

The surname Reichartz was first found in Bavaria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. The literal meaning of the name is "brave ruler," and chronicles first mention Hantsch Richard of Liegnitz in 1381, and Hans Reichart of Friedland in 1381. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Reichartz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reichartz research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1733, 1749, 1751, 1752, 1758, 1788, 1814, 1828, 1837 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Reichartz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reichartz Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Reichartz include Reichhard, Reichhart, Reichard, Reichart, Reichardt, Reickhard, Reichheart, Reikhard, Reickhart, Richard, Reichert and many more.

Early Notables of the Reichartz family

Johann Friedrich Reichardt (1752-1814), who was the court composer and conductor to Frederick the Great and Frederick II, and was a friend of Goethe's. He instituted many reforms, was dismissed for sympathizing with the French revolution, and went on to write twelve operas and over one hundred songs. Johanne Wilhelmine Siegmundine Reichard (1788-1848) née Schmidt, was a German aeronaut who was the first...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reichartz Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reichartz family

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Reichartz or a variant listed above: Joseph Reichardt, who sailed to New York in 1709. Among the many other immigrants to follow this first settler were: Reinhart Reichart, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1732.